Thousands Skate to Binghamton for Annual Pond Festival

Thousands Skate to Binghamton for Annual Pond Festival

This January, anyone can play hockey at the Binghamton Pond Festival. Teams of all ages and abilities are invited to register to participate in the festival, which will take place over three weekends starting Jan. 12. Each weekend of events will take place at Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks. 

Each hockey weekend is open to the public to attend, and will feature plenty of non-hockey events, including an appearance by Animal Adventure, live music, fireworks, food and drinks, and a variety of other wintertime fun and games. There is no charge to attend, however there is an optional suggested donation of $10 per car.

Adult teams will play for fun and a tournament championship, kids will be able to experience the beauty of outdoor hockey, and in collaboration with the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), special hockey teams will also be able to enjoy this unique opportunity. Portions of the proceeds also go to a great cause.

Binghamton Pond Fest Founder and Producer Tytus Haller said, “The hockey community is a very diverse group that is rooted in all kinds of ways in our local community, and is very supportive of good causes and events. All of the money we donate stays here in the Binghamton area and I think it’s great to see conversations and openness that help to remove some of the stigmas associated with various mental health challenges that we all battle at different times in our lives. I’ve had a great deal of support and help from the staff at Chenango Valley State Park and their Friends of the Park group in making the event a success and fun.”

In the first two years, Binghamton Pond Festival donated $13,000 to our local Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST) and their Do It For Darren (DIFD) initiatives for youth suicide prevention and youth mental health awareness. By growing into three separate weekends, the festival hopes to donate even more in years to come.

Keith W. Leahey, executive director at MHAS, said, “We are honored to be the charity recipient for the Binghamton Pond Festival again this year. Above and beyond the important funds raised, we are thankful for the opportunity to promote youth mental health and suicide awareness in our community.”

The event games will be played on Chenango Valley State Park’s new refrigerated outdoor ice surface, funded through a grant secured by Senator Fred Akshar through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. In past years, unpredictable weather and temperatures led to difficulties in holding the Binghamton Pond Festival, and the new outdoor surface allows a variety of events to be held year after year.

Senator Fred Akshar said, “The Binghamton Pond Fest is an exciting and inclusive event that attracts visitors from across the country to our community during some of the coldest months. I was proud to do my part in securing funding to help Chenango Valley State Park host events like this and others for our community for years to come.”

“I am excited and ready to welcome hundreds of players and fans to Broome County over the next three weekends for the Binghamton Pond Festival. The county is proud to support this event and the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier.”

Judi Hess, director of Visit Binghamton, said, “Visit Binghamton is excited to have this series of Pond Hockey events taking place in the community and drawing out of town visitors at this time of year. The out of town visitors will have a positive economic impact for the entire county.”

Binghamton Pond Fest kicks off with a partnership with the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), which welcomes new and experienced players with physical and developmental disabilities and will a feature sensory friendly glow party Friday night.

Jen O’Brien, president of ASHA, said, “ASHA represents over 60 member teams and 2,900 registered athletes across the United States. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity to host with the Binghamton Pond Festival, the only outdoor special hockey festival in the United States. With over 150 players and their family members, roughly 450 people are excited to travel to Binghamton for this extraordinary event.”

In addition to partnering with the New York State Parks Department, MHAST and ASHA, Binghamton Pond Fest 2018 is partnered with many other local organizations and businesses, including Jack Sherman Toyota, The Colonial, UHS Sports Medicine, the Binghamton Devils, Matco Electric, The Double Tree, Rocco J. Testani, Visit Bing, American Fireworks, North American Breweries, Pyramid Business Systems, Catskill Shed Company, Amici’s, Warehouse Carpet, AP Entertainment, The Friends Group of Chenango Valley State Park, The Ice House Hawks, The Southern Tier Hockey Association (STHA) and The Binghamton Blizzard Girls Hockey Association.

The full schedule of events and registration information is also available at www.bingpondfest.com

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