Fun all day at Groton Cabin Fever!

When it comes to shaking off the winter blues, overcoming feelings of cabin fever or just plain having some fun, Groton has the perfect solution for all of that and more on Saturday, March 1. Beginning at noon and going until 8:30 p.m., anyone of any age can find something to do and something to eat — and it’s all free!

Kicking things off from noon to 4 p.m. will be Groton Recreation’s (Groton Rec) annual Cabin Fever Event, held at the Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS) gymnasium at 400 Peru Rd. The event was originally known as Winterfest but changed its name to Cabin Fever in 2015, primarily because the winters around here were no longer producing the weather needed for activities such as the dog sledding, snowman building, sleigh rides, sledding and other traditions Winterfest had offered.

Cabin Fever has gained significant popularity over the past decade, as more attractions and activities have been added through the years. This year will be no exception.

“We will have community clubs and organizations, such as 4-H Botany Besties, and educational fun with the Sciencenter and Cayuga Nature Center,” said Becky Koenig, director of Groton Rec. “We’ll also have Crossroads the Clown making balloon animals, and a bounce house for energetic fun. Other groups in attendance will provide hands-on activities and education for attendees. The focus is family-friendly activities and information, and this is a free event!”

At 12:30 p.m., the Groton Fire Department will offer a demonstration, and the Cornell Raptors will have a presentation at 2 p.m. In addition, Bikewalk Tompkins, Groton Chiropractic, Groton Project Running Club, the Groton Public Library, Groton Art Club and others will have tables in the room, with friendly and informative representatives ready to explain their offerings to the community.

Traditional favorites such as the photo booth, bounce house and laser tag will also be on site, and music from a live disc jockey will permeate the air.

After having an afternoon of fun and activity, you might find yourself thinking about dinner, feeling hungry, and possibly wishing you didn’t have to go home and cook. Well, wish and wonder no more, because Groton Assembly of God church, 701 S. Main St., has you covered!

From 4 to 8 p.m., the church invites anyone in the community for a free light meal that will be available until the food runs out. If you are still in the mood for some fun, there will be board games to play and people to play them with. Some of the menu items offered are chili, sandwich rings, salads, cheese and crackers, meatballs, chicken wings, popcorn and other snacks and cake, but the list will likely grow!

That evening, Groton Rec will host a free Kids Fun Fest back at the GHS gym from 6 to 7 p.m. for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Games of tag, relay races, cooperative games and more will be offered. The caveat is that parents need to be present — it is not a drop-off event!

From 7 to 8:30 p.m., there will be “Teen Open Rec” in the gym for teens in seventh to 12th grade, with basketball and volleyball on offer. All ability levels are welcome, so come and bring your friends for some fun and exercise.

All in all, Saturday, March 1 in Groton promises to be a day that everyone in the community can enjoy, ignore the cold and find a cure for cabin fever!

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Outstanding CTE students

Congratulations to the following Groton students, who were recognized as outstanding students of the month for January at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center:

Damian Cobb, Auto Body; and Casandra Mejia, Cosmetology.

Outstanding students are chosen based on their character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and positive role models.

Trivia Night at the Legion

The Groton American Legion Post 800 Trivia Night will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. Gail Weeks will be the trivia master. Cost is $5 per team, and teams are limited to four members. There will be a $50 prize for the winning team and $25 for second place. Come test your knowledge and just have fun!

Ridge Runners spaghetti supper

The Groton Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club will hold a spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at its clubhouse, 748 Salt Rd. Meals include spaghetti and meatballs and a side salad. Cost is $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for children aged 5-12. Children 4 and under eat for free. Take-out dinners are also available.