Family fun: Yarmouth Winter Carnival returns to Skull Island Presidents Day Weekend

Frankie Rowley, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

Though water still flows in the Cape's ponds and lakes, there's a chance for some outdoor winter ice skating thanks to the synthetic rink at the third Yarmouth Winter Carnival, hosted by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and Yarmouth Recreational Department this Presidents Day weekend.

“It's the offseason; a lot of businesses are closed,” Jennifer Werner, marketing, communications, and events director for the chamber, said. “There's not a whole lot of things to do, so we thought by offering this on Presidents Day weekend, it just gives families a chance to come out and do something for a couple hours and then go on with their school vacation week.”

The carnival will be held at Skull Island on Route 28. For $5, parents and children can access most of the activities, including a petting zoo, face painting and glitter henna tattoos. Children aged 6 and under get in for free.

There is an extra charge for ice skating ($8), skate rentals ($10), food and other goods from vendors.

A fun time that won't break the bank

This year, the carnival’s rink is operating on an open skate basis, meaning skaters do not have to pre-register, Werner said.

Rabbits, goats and chickens got steady attention all afternoon in the petting zoo at the Yarmouth Winter Carnival last year. Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce puts on the event in partnership with the Yarmouth Recreation Department. The year's carnival starts Saturday, Feb. 17 at Skull Island on Route 28.
Rabbits, goats and chickens got steady attention all afternoon in the petting zoo at the Yarmouth Winter Carnival last year. Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce puts on the event in partnership with the Yarmouth Recreation Department. The year's carnival starts Saturday, Feb. 17 at Skull Island on Route 28.

Outside of the carnival events organized by the chamber and recreation department, Werner said the arcade, mini golf and driving range at Skull Island will also be open during the event — weather permitting.

"There'll be a lot going on," she said.

Emma Baker, then 8, glides around on a slick plastic "ice rink" with sister Ainsley, then 9, at last year's Yarmouth Winter Carnival.
Emma Baker, then 8, glides around on a slick plastic "ice rink" with sister Ainsley, then 9, at last year's Yarmouth Winter Carnival.

For families thinking about attending, Werner said the carnival is an activity that won’t break the bank.

“The great thing is we try to vary the entertainment that we have every day, so it's something different,” she said.

The carnival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday through Monday (Feb. 17 to Feb. 19) at Skull Island (934 Route 28 in South Yarmouth.) For more information and a full list of events, visit www.yarmouthcapecod.com/.

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: February vacation: Yarmouth Winter Carnival returns to Skull Island