WEST PLATTSBURGH — Last year, in the midst of the American Legion Post 1619's Winterfest, volunteer Dave Champagne looked out at the sledding hill, and boy did the sight please him.

"It's such a kick to look out there and see 200 kids having a blast," Champagne said recently. "That's what this is all about."

In just five years, the American Legion Post 1619's Winterfest has become one of the biggest North Country events of the year.

This year's festival is slated for next weekend, Feb. 3 to 5, at the post on Rand Hill Road in West Plattsburgh, and organizers are expecting even greater crowds.

"This is going to be the place to be next weekend for sure," Winterfest Co-Chair David Mayette said.

GOOD CAUSE

Last year, an estimated 2,500 people showed up for the Friday night fireworks, turning Rand Hill Road into a temporary parking lot.

"We were shocked last year," Winterfest Co-Chairwoman Irene Rock said. "We could not believe how many people showed up."

With another big fireworks show set for Friday, Rock and her fellow organizers are gearing up for a good party.

"We will have people from all over the North Country. Plattsburgh, Peru, AuSable, Champlain, Malone, you name it, they will be here," Mayette said.

The bigger the crowds, the better, as all proceeds go to the Clinton County Veterans Assistance Fund.

Last year, about $3,500 was raised for the veterans.

"We can't thank our veterans enough for what they've done for us, so we are glad to be able to do something nice like this that not only is a good time for families, but will help our veterans," Rock said.

Steve Bowman, director of Veterans Services for Clinton County, said the Veterans Assistance Fund is used to help veterans or their family members with emergency financial needs.

"Last year, we had a National Guard member who was deployed, and his son needed medical treatment at Fletcher Allen, and we used the money to buy a couple books of ferry tickets to help the family out," Bowman said.

"So we use the money for things like that."

Bowman said the fund, which has been in existence since 2003, helps dozens of veterans and their families each year.

"We get donations from other veterans' groups, some private and some corporate, but the Winterfest event is one of our biggest fundraisers," he said.

"It is so nice to see such an event in our local area and people who care about the veterans."

CURLING MATCHES

Winterfest began five years ago as a way to break up the winter doldrums as well as help vets, Rock explained.

With a perfect sledding hill and a nice-sized pond for skating, the American Legion offered an ideal site for a winter party.

But skating and sledding were not enough for this bunch.

Mayette, known for his creative thinking and love of the outdoors, suggested adding a curling event.

"Curling is very popular in Canada, and we have a lot of people with Canadian backgrounds, and we thought, 'Why not try it here?'" Mayette said between sips of a can of LaBatt Blue.

The first year, the curling stones were fashioned out of milk jugs and tea pots filled with cement. It didn't seem to matter, though, as several teams enjoyed curling matches on the cold but sunny curling rink carved out on the pond.

"People loved it, and it got bigger and bigger, and more teams wanted to enter," Mayette said.

After a few years of using makeshift curling stones, Winterfest organizers decided to step it up a notch and last year purchased 16 professional ones from North Dakota at $250 a piece.

"We would have been able to raise more money for the veterans last year, but we had the expense of the curling stones," Rock said. "This year, we don't have that expense so we should do much better."

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

The number of visitors to Winterfest has increased each year, starting with a few hundred in 2008, more than 1,000 in 2010 and massive crowds last year.

The festival offers something for the whole family.

In addition to sledding and skating, organizers have added horse and wagon rides, a bonfire and a broomball tournament.

Winterfest 2012 also offers rides on vintage snowmobiles provided by the Vintage Snowmobile Club of Lyon Mountain. Also new this year is a softball tournament in the snow.

"We have 10 teams signed up already," Rock said.

RJ's DJ Service will play music all day and night.

Friday night's main attraction is the fireworks display by Dr. Joe Clauss.

DINNER AND SNACKS

The bulk of the fundraising stems from the popular dollar-menu snack bar, where visitors can purchase hot dogs, michigans, hamburgers, cheese burgers, chili and other snacks all for the low price of one greenback.

"You can bring your whole family here and feed them for about $10," Champagne said. "How great is that?"

Free hot chocolate will be provided for the frosty sledders and skaters as well.

A hot chicken and biscuits dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

The Caribou Lounge will offer food and beverages outside for adults.

Several gift baskets will also be raffled off on Sunday afternoon.

Donations are also accepted and can be sent to the American Legion Post 1619, P.O. Box 248, Morrisonville, NY 12962.

'FEEL LIKE FAMILY'

The key to making Winterfest a success, Rock said, is the efforts of volunteers and sponsors.

"Our sponsors have been great, and they really want to help out because they know this is such a good community event," Rock said.

This year, Monster Energy Drink and Sam's Club are the main two sponsors, along with LaBatt's and Budweiser.

Henry's Pool and Spas is also providing a rope tow for sledders so they can make frequent trips up and down the hill.

"Last year, I asked one little girl how many times she had gone down the hill, and she said, 'This is my 139th time,'" Post 1619 Adjutant Floyd Rock said.

Rock said the Legion family has come to embrace the big crowds.

"When people get here, within 30 seconds, we make them feel like family because we talk to them and make them feel comfortable."

Email Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com