SugarFest weekend returns
By Mark Mitchell
Special to the Democrat

It’s almost that time of year again. It’s almost time for SugarFest weekend.

For the fifth-consecutive year, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort kicks off the winter season with its two-day festival of action. SugarFest 2007 will be presented by the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority and be hosted by Sugar Mountain Resort. SugarFest will be held December 15-16 at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.

The festival is packed with a long list of winter activities, including the chance to check out what's new on the slopes. That chance comes on both days from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. as the newest ski and snowboard equipment from just about every manufacturer displayed in store showrooms will be available slope-side for demo.

The action really gets going with the Ski & Snowboard Makeover presentation, which will be held slopeside at 10 a.m. Dec. 15. That's when Billy Taylor from Hampton, Tenn. and Mary Kathrine Jordan from Fairplay, S.C. receive their snowboard and ski makeovers. All Taylor and Jordan need to hit the slopes will be provided by local and national sponsors.

At 11 a.m. on Dec. 15, Sugar Mountain Resort celebrates the grand opening of Sugar Mountain Resort’s new 10,000-square-foot ice skating rink, which is located next to the Dave Nixon Pro Shop adjacent to parking lot D. Next up on the day's agenda will be the snowball eating contest at 3:00 p.m. Contestants will have two minutes to eat as many tasty snowball look a-likes as their stomach's can stomach.

After all the morning and early-afternoon action, relax and enjoy some good food, warm drinks, and fun music. All of this will be available for those who come dance and listen to live music by Boss Hawg from 4:00 p.m. until 7 p.m.

The first day of Sugarfest wraps with a chance to catch a thunderous and spectacular fireworks display at the base of Sugar Mountain Resort at 5:45 p.m.

The second day of Sugarfest is kicked off by the Burton/Edge of the World Rail Jam Expression Session, which will be held 12 noon. Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m. The Burton/Edge of the World Rail Jam Expression gives everyone the opportunity to watch some of the area’s best snowboarders pull off their gnarliest tricks.

Also on Dec. 16, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, marvel at the site of a professional ice sculptor as he transforms blocks of ice into works of art right before your eyes.

For more information about Sugarfest 2007, go to www.seesugar.com/sugarfest.