By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer
A little ingenuity saved the first “Welcome to Winter” fest for city kids.

LEWISTON – There was barely any snow Saturday and kids were running around in T-shirts with their hats off under a warm, sunny sky, but the first-ever WinterKids “Welcome to Winter” went forward.

Project Director Annie Pelletier said the lack of white stuff really didn’t matter, because the purpose of the day was to get people outside at this time of year, and also to help immigrant and refugee communities in particular feel more comfortable in Maine.

There was a bit of snowshoeing, thanks to city public works employees who had hauled over a pile of snow from The Colisee to the Multi-Purpose Center, where the event was held.

It was “just to give folks an opportunity to play with it,” Pelletier said.

And that’s what they did. Kids from all sorts of backgrounds played, not seeming to notice the dry, snow-barren ground.

They pulled one another across the wood-chip-covered playground for sled races; took ice walking lessons on pavement, learned Tai Chi-style movements to help with their balance; and politely accepted free granola bars, fruit and juice from a snack table.

Children like Ashley and Kendra Fieldgrove of Lewiston, 8 and 3 years old, let their parents lace donated ice skates on their feet and marched around near a bench to try them out.

“It’s kind of odd having a winterfest with no snow in 50 degrees,” said a laughing Paul Tucker, fianc of the girls’ mother, Lisa Fieldgrove. “But I’m not complaining.”

Fieldgrove had recently moved to Maine from Nebraska, and said the event gave her an opportunity to see whether her daughters like sledding, skating or snowshoeing without having to buy all the equipment first.

Ardo Amir of Lewiston brought her 7-year-old daughter, Hibo Abbi.

“I’m so happy to be here,” she said through translator Amal Muse. She wanted her daughter to be able to try activities like snowshoeing.

Cindy Lan of Lewiston brought her 2-year-old son, saying, “It’s a long winter – I don’t want him always staying at home.”

City officials from Lewiston and Auburn wandered about, snapping pictures and greeting people. Even Gov. John Baldacci made an appearance.

This was the first “Welcome to Winter” event for the Lewiston-Auburn area, but WinterKids organizers said they hope to hold another next year.

Maine Catholic Charities donated over 80 pairs of mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for the event.

Sponsors included L.L. Bean, with snowshoe and clothing layering demonstrations; Healthy Maine Partnerships; and Hannaford Supermarkets, which donated the food.

“We were going to do hot cocoa,” said Mike Labbe, manager of the Sabattus Street Hannaford, but shrugged and rolled his eyes toward the sun.

Instead, he brought orange juice and water.