Winterfest returns for a 14th time to Blowing Rock January 26-29, mixing the heat of bonfires and toasted marshmallows with the frozen thrill of the Polar Plunge and ice carvings. Set in the walkable winter ambiance of quaint and charming Blowing Rock, Winterfest activities will satisfy day-trippers and overnight guests alike with family activities a major focus of the annual celebration.

New this year, Appalachian Ski Mountain, just a short drive from Blowing Rock, has scheduled special Winterfest events including a Sunday snowman building competition and special pricing on ski and snowboard lessons on Friday evening 5-midnight.

Winterfest gets underway January 26 with the first of four days of “shop ‘til you drop” at downtown businesses and at the Tanger Outlet Shoppes on the Parkway. That evening is WinterFeast, hosted by Timberlake’s restaurant at Chetola Resort, with menu items from Timberlake’s, The Inn at Crestwood, Woodlands BBQ, Crippen’s Country Inn, and Foggy Rock Restaurant.

Friday events include more “shop ‘til you drop,” free hot chocolate downtown, a dusk bonfire with free marshmallows and s’mores, and live music.

Saturday is packed with events, highlighted by the mid-morning Polar Plunge into icy Chetola Lake. There will also be a chili cook-off, more “shop ‘til you drop,” a raffle and silent auction, hot chocolate, ice carving competition, wine tasting and auction, an evening bonfire, and live music. Children’s activities include a snowflake parade down Main Street and a reading of the children’s book Isabella Propeller by Blowing Rock resident and author Jonathan Graves. The recently reopened Green Park Inn will host the wine tasting and auction.

The Polar Plunge benefits Wine to Water, a charity founded by CNN Hero Doc Hendley, who lives in Boone. Wine to Water has funded wells that provide clean drinking water in a dozen third world countries. Proceeds from the Polar Plunge will be used to build a well in Ethiopia. For more information, visit winetowater.org.

Winterfest wraps up on Sunday with a pancake breakfast, followed by “shop ‘til you drop,” ice carving demonstrations, free hot chocolate, the “Winter Paws” dog show, and snowman building at Appalachian Ski Mountain.

Overnight accommodations in Blowing Rock include cabins, hotels, bed & breakfasts, resorts, condos and family inns. Many have put together vacation packages; visit blowingrock.com for details.

For more information and listings of day-by-day Winterfest events or to purchase tickets online, visit blowingrockwinterfest.com or call the Blowing Rock Visitor Center toll free at 877.750.4636.