FARMINGTON — The lack of a tubing park didn’t stop the winter fun at the Fire and Ice Festival in Farmington on Saturday, where fresh snow set the scene for some serious outdoor activities.

The annual event is sponsored primarily by Franklin Savings Bank, to provide a safe, fun environment for children and adults who may be experiencing the winter blues.

“I feel like we’ve been so cooped up this winter. We needed to get out,” said Nissa Caton of Farmington, who attends the event every year with her children, Amara, 9, and Lennox, 5.

Activities included a hay maze, in which children who could just barely pop their heads over the tall bales dashed back and forth to find the right way. Next to the maze was a crackling fire, warming those who were munching on freshly toasted s’mores.

Visitors could also ride on a horse-drawn wagon. For Christopher Rollins, 4, of Farmington, that was the best part of the festival, and he rode with a smile on his face with his parents, Jessica and Edward Rollins, who bring him every year.

Amara Caton’s favorite activity was sliding down the giant hill leading down to the hay maze and fire.

“There were other kids sliding down, but I wanted to go faster, so I made a big path and made it all smooth, and now I go really fast,” Amara said.

Attendees could also enjoy a free movie at Narrow Gauge Cinemas, decorate cookies, take a ride on a sled pulled by dogs, make snowmen or participate in a scavenger hunt.

Farther down Front Street, dogs were leaping high to catch Frisbees soaring uncertainly in the bitter wind.

Mike Piazza of Flying High Dogs, professional K-9 Frisbee performers, was there with his border collies, Mojo, Bullet, Chaos and Maui, who were performing high-altitude tricks.

The crowd squealed with delight as Bullet, 8, charged down the lot at full speed, then shot up into the air to snatch a Frisbee with her teeth. They laughed as the youngest pup, 10-month-old Mojo, hopped in place as he begged Piazza to throw the Frisbee one more time.

“This is only his second show, and he’s very eager,” Piazza said with a smile.

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net

Amara Caton, 9, of Farmington, slides down the snowy hill, while her brother, Lennox, 5, slides down on his belly behind her, outside Divine Inspirations on Front Street in Farmington during the annual Fire and Ice Festival Saturday.  (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)

Mike Piazza of Flying High Dogs shows the crowd how 10-month-old border collie Mojo begs him to throw the Frisbee at the Fire and Ice Festival in Farmington on Saturday. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)