SHERBURNE - The long-awaited Winter Living Celebration at Rogers Center in Sherburne, is nearly here! The first Saturday in February is this year’s annual celebration, and everyone is welcome.

As is tradition, the horse drawn sleigh rides, cross cut saw demonstration, and cross county skiing and snowshoeing will all be features of the free event on February 7th from 11am to 3 pm.

“We’re excited for the many new additions to this year’s celebration,” said Ariah Mitchell, Educator and Communications Lead for the Friends of Rogers. “We’ll have live acoustic music in the Sugar Shack by the bubbling hot evaporator, Amigo K-9 Search & Rescue demonstrations, and lots of music in the Visitor Center: the Sherburne Community Chorus, cello and piano, and musical chimes from Achieve.”

New vendors for food and beverage this year include Kandi’s Kitchen Food Truck and Upstate Coffee Roasters. The Chenango Bird Club will once again offer their bake sale delights.

Making a return in 2026 is the human bird feeder, where participants can have wild birds land for seed on their head or lap. The Scouts are planning a winter camp demonstration for visitors to Rogers, as well as stewarding the firepits and supervising the slackline.

“Winter Living Celebration will also feature opportunities to watch talented artists work in real time,” Mitchell said. Branden Law, the summer Artist in Residence at Rogers Center, will be painting scientific illustrations and answering questions from the public. Jim Baldwin is sharing his fascinating and detailed paper snowflake art techniques with the community. Crafts in the Bird Cabin will be available for people of all ages.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will take a plunge with their exciting ice rescue demonstrations, as well as air boat and K-9 demonstrations. Later in the afternoon, Smokey Bear is expected to make an appearance.

New this year: 50/50 Raffle & Baskets. Also in the lineup: The Bullthistle Hiking Club leading excursions on the trails, Trout Unlimited sharing fly-tying tutorials, and information available from the Chenango Greenway Conservancy, Liberty Partnerships Program, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango County.

Winter Living Celebration 2026 is made possible by volunteers and community partners, and accessible free of charge thanks to the following sponsors: Visions Federal Credit Union, NBT Bank and Insurance, Pennysaver/The Evening Sun, LaBella Associates, Chenango Valley Technologies, Preferred Mutual, Laral Management, and Blueox Energy.

Rogers Center is one of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) four environmental education centers. Rogers Center is located at 2721 NY-80, Sherburne, NY.

The mission of the Friends of Rogers is to provide outstanding educational opportunities that excite, inspire, and motivate people of all ages to enjoy, understand, appreciate, and protect our natural environment.

- Information from the Rogers Center