Central Park

Winter Jam 2007 Turns Central Park Into A Winter Wonderland

Saturday, February 10, 2007
No. 07
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Parks & Recreation cured New Yorkers of cabin fever today with its annual winter festival—Winter Jam 2007. More than 10,000 winter enthusiasts of all ages gathered in sunny Central Park to enjoy the snowboarder rail jam, flying snowboarder-acrobats, winter sports, live music, hot chocolate...and the City's only snow.

“Thousands of New Yorkers look to their City parks as a place to run, bike and relax but many may forget how much our parks have to offer in the winter,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Right in the center of New York City, Winter Jam 2007 exposed residents to all of the wonderful sports that winter has to offer. From live performances to horse-drawn sleigh rides to what might be one of the rarest sights in a city—a snowboarding rail jam—this year's festival offered something to bring the entire family out of hibernation.”

“New York is an unbelievable state for winter activities. We at the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) based in Lake Placid, are proud to work with NYC Parks & Recreation in presenting this year’s event,” said ORDA President and CEO Ted Blazer. “Thanks to Gore and Hunter Mountain’s efforts, the “Snowmaking in the Park” is just a small example of what all NY ski areas have to offer. There is a lot of winter left and our slopes have just what you are looking for. We hope the event in Central Park has gotten New Yorkers in the mood to ski or snowboard right in their own back yard….along New York State’s I-87 corridor.”

At Central Park’s Winter Jam, amateur snowboarders took to the rails during the second annual Rail Jam Open. The snowboarder-acrobat troupe Flying Ace All-Stars flipped through the air during its trampoline show. Live performances by Geffen recording artist Matt White, celebrity DJ Mark Ronson, and rising hip hop star, Jibbs kept the lively crowd on its feet. Thanks to this week’s chilly temperatures, snow was made for the first time in three years and Central Park’s Dead Road was filled with fresh snow. The snow was home to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, an igloo demonstration and plenty of snow frolicking.

There was also an Olympic luge display, ice sculptures, free Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate to keep everyone warm, treats for sale at the Winter Greenmarket, a “bridge to the future” inspired by New Line Cinema's The Last Mimzy (opening March 23, 2007), and more!

This event was sponsored by Lake Placid, Gore Mountain, and Hunter Mountain, as well as Backpacker magazine, Naked Juice, Dunkin Donuts, Seventeen magazine, a New Line Cinema Release—The Last Mimzy, the New York Post, NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Cabot Cheese.

- 30 -