WINTER FUN

The Wild Coyote Saloon took advantage of the winter weather last weekend, hosing a winter carnival for local families. Non-profit Project ASCENT hosted games and sold comfort food including cocoa and chili to participants. Children and adults tried their luck at games such as a reindeer ring toss, magnet ice fishing and a shooting gallery in which contestants shot foam darts at a wall of yeti targets. Kids earned tickets at each game, and could trade their tickets in for prizes including bouncy balls and art sets.

Andrea Fernandez with Project ASCENT, which provides outdoor educational opportunities for kids, said they didn't intend to raise funds at the event, only to raise awareness of the program and provide a free, fun event for families. They did receive some donations from carnival goers.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness also participated in the winter carnival, providing snow shoes for races, which were held throughout the day. The Wild Coyote spent weeks preparing their parking lot for the event, creating an ice volcano by setting a sprinkler atop one of the trees on the property, and constructing a giant sledding hill, complete with steps to get kids to the top.