Mountainfest continues with food, fun and unique activities at Montage Mountain

SCRANTON — Saturday morning opened with fun, food and special activities on the second day of Mountainfest on Montage Mountain, touted as the “ultimate winter celebration.”

Tiffany Yingling of Jackazz Distilling was enjoying the day both as a vendor and customer of other businesses.

Yingling travelled over an hour from her home in Hegins for the two-day celebration.

It was her first time at the event and Yingling said it would be a favorite moving forward.

“I just think it’s really cool,” she said. “Really well planned.”

Yingling especially enjoyed Friday’s Cardboard Classic, which brought colorful characters to life as they raced down the slope.

“Those sleds were awesome,” she said. “I especially love ET.”

Friday concluded with an 80s party, which featured bands playing favorite hits from that era, and brought the slopes to life, she said.

Fun continues

Yingling took time to visit with Sarah Romich Saturday morning, another vendor at the event representing Matt-Hat Jerky.

Both enjoyed the opportunity to sell their products while sharing in the energy and fun of the festival.

The women said the weather, clear and cold, set the perfect backdrop for the event.

Philip Baum, owner and founder of Kinetic Kreations, was manning a human hamster wheel which powered the creation of snow cones.

Baum said he designed the mechanism out of concern that youngsters were not getting enough exercise.

Both children and adults excitedly climbed onto the wheel, looking forward to a snow cone in their favorite flavor as a reward for their efforts.

Many stopped to take a selfie or asked a family member to snap a photo.

“This gets them moving,” Baum said. “And they can also learn a little bit about the science of it.”

Excitement continues

Many skiers, who routinely take to the slopes on the weekend, said they enjoyed the extra activities the festival made available and the opportunity to do a bit of shopping for unique items.

Some stopped for a specialty coffee or hot chocolate before hitting the slopes.

Saturday’s activities continued with a Pond Skimming Competition, which brought attendees out in a variety of costumes to glide across icy waters and is described as a “fan favorite.”

The event concluded Saturday with several bands, bringing music to the mountain and providing a fun atmosphere to wrap up this year’s celebration.