OGDEN -- Historic 25th Street between Adams Avenue and Washington Boulevard already is looking like a winter wonderland, with 2-foot-deep snow keeping cars from driving down the thoroughfare as organizers prepare for the first Ogden Winterfest.
Many of the more than 600 loads of snow to be hauled in by area contractors already have arrived. Snowmaking also began Tuesday night.
"We were a little concerned with melt," said Kevin Ireland, Winterfest coordinator and manager of Eccles Dinosaur Park.
"We've been lucky. During the day, it's only gone up to 40 (degrees) the last couple of hours of the day."
Organizers will see how the rest of the week goes before deciding whether to add more snow, Ireland said.
"We still have piles of snow we can go get to supplement what we have."
While two days will be packed with free events, starting at 5 p.m. Friday and running all day Saturday, two highlights are scheduled.
First is a public showing of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, on a big-screen projector behind the Soulistics, who will play a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the amphitheater.
"You won't be able to hear it, but you'll be able to see it while the band's playing," Ireland said. "It will be fun."
Second is a free concert by the Beatles impersonation band, Imagine, that will be the prelude to a free winter ball in Union Station.
The concert is planned as a way to bring the community together in a venue that anyone can afford.
"So many times in Ogden, we're looking for the one place to go out and be able to see everyone and have a good time," said Zeb Williams, United Way special events coordinator and organizer of the concert and winter ball.
"It's really convenient that it's free and around Valentine's Day."
And Williams said he believes most people will identify with the Beatles music the band plays.
"They are the parents' generation," said Williams, who is 21. "My generation grew up with them. ... As long as I can remember, I've known all the Beatles music and all my friends do, too."
Nearly all events are free, with community sponsors overseeing each event. Organizers have kept the activities with fees to a minimum.
"We wanted to do something big," Ireland said. "That's why we got so many different members of the community involved."
Those who want to participate may find a list of all Winterfest activities online at winterfest.ogdencity.com.
Registrations may be made now. Some events will accept registrations at the Ben Lomond Hotel until just before they begin, Ireland said.
"The human dog sled races and the softball tournament are already full," he said. "Other than that, things are still open."
Other events planned are: human bowling, sponsored by Fat Cats; a dog costume contest, sponsored by the Ogden Animal Shelter; a 5K run sponsored by North Ogden Chiropractic; a polar bear dip at Lorin Farr Swimming Pool, sponsored by Coca Cola and Hershey's; skijoring, sponsored by the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo; skiing and snowboarding, sponsored by Wolf Creek Resort; snowmobile racing, sponsored by The Home Depot, Triple-S Polaris and ADS; a kids corner, sponsored by The Home Depot; and a snow-carving contest featuring students from 10 high schools, sponsored by Lofthouse Cookies.
Williams said the Imagine concert and winter ball are for a good cause. Proceeds from the sale of food items will go to United Way, while the cost of the concert was underwritten by an anonymous sponsor.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. Those who pay $100 per table will enjoy a sit-down dinner before the concert, he said.
The public will then be allowed into Union Station for the show.
Participants may purchase chili and corn bread from the Union Grill as a United Way fundraiser during the free show.
Following the concert, DJ Jesse Johnson will take over to perform for the dance.
Williams said, "We are going to dance all night."
Comments