The community of Bowling Green will host its first Winterfest Celebration this weekend to celebrate its rich on-ice heritage, including a tribute to Scott Hamilton who won a gold medal in figure skating in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Games.
Returning to his hometown 25 years after his gold-medal performance, Hamilton, along with fellow skating medalists from the 1984 Olympics, will be making an appearance at the Bowling Green State University Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. as part of a Gold Medal Gala, hosted by the College of Business Administration. Medalists Peter Carruthers, Kitty Carruthers and Rosalynn Sumners will also be in attendance.
The Gold Medal Gala is one event among many to take place over the course of the three-day celebration.
Additional events include live entertainment at BG restaurants and night clubs, restaurant specials, a citywide price freeze sale at local retailers, athletic events, horse carriage rides, a chili cookoff and a pancake breakfast.

Friday night’s activities include:
7 to 9 p.m. — Horse carriage rides through downtown Bowling Green, starting in front of Grounds for Thought; the cost is $2 per person.
8 p.m. — Open curling, BGSU Ice Arena; The cost is $8 per person and includes the specially made brooms needed for the game. Make sure you dress warm and bring a clean pair of tennis shoes.
8 p.m. — Paul Merkelo on trumpet, BGSU Bryan Recital Hall; Merkelo is the principal trumpet of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra; tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors.
8 p.m. — Singin’ In The Rain, Black Swamp Players at the First United Methodist Church; tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and available at Grounds for Thought.
Saturday’s events include:
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. — BG Skating Club Exhibition, BGSU Ice Arena;  the skating club will be giving a free skating clinic and exhibition; the public can receive on-ice instruction from professional instructors as well as free ice time; skate rental is complimentary. 
10 a.m.  to  6 p.m. — Sentinel-Tribune Wedding Show, Woodland Mall
11 a.m. — Young People’s Concert: Meet the Buzzelli’s, Bryan Recital Hall; the Buzzelli family will play a variety of string instruments, featuring a variety of musical styles; admission is $1 for children, $2 for adults and is payable at the Box Office on the morning of the concert.
11 a.m. — One-Mile Fun Run, City Park; BG Parks and Recreation presents the first One-Mile Frostbite Run; register at the Scout Building the day of the race, with a $20 entry fee if long sleeve T-shirts are still available or $12 for no shirt; awards will be given to winners
Noon to  2 p.m. — Chili Cookoff, Veteran’s Building at City Park;  will feature homemade chili from residents around the community as well as area restaurants; a donation of $5 per person allows up to 10 tastes; proceeds to benefit the Woman’s Club of BG, the American Association of University Women, and the Zonta Club; ice sculptor Chad Hartson will offer live ice sculpting demonstrations during the cookoff.
Noon to 3 p.m. — Outdoor Games and Nature Hike, City Park; enjoy family winter games: white owl hunt, snowman making contest, winter wildlife detective, snow bowling and snowball tag; some games may be altered depending on the weather.
1 p.m. beginning the Cla-Zel Winter Movie Marathon: The Mighty Ducks at 1 p.m.; Ice Princess at 4:30 p.m.; Miracle  at 7:30 p.m.; and Blades of Glory at 11 p.m.
2 p.m. — BGSU Men’s Basketball, Anderson Arena; the Falcons will host the Canisius College at Anderson Arena for ESPNU Bracket Busters.
3 to 5 p.m. — Silent and live auction, Cla-Zel; WTOL News 11 anchor Jerry Anderson will be the guest auctioneer; a $5 fee per person allows you access to bid on dozens of items. The auction proceeds benefit the BG Skating Club.
5:05 p.m. — BGSU Men’s Hockey versus Michigan State, BGSU Ice Arena
6 p.m. — Scott Hamilton fund-raising event, BGSU Grand Ballroom
7 to 10 p.m. - Teen party at the Veteran’s Building at City Park: organized by area youth groups; will feature food and games; there is a $2 fee per person; open to all students in grades 6 through 12.
7 to 9 p.m. — Horse carriage rides.
8 p.m. — Singin’ In The Rain, Black Swamp Players.
9 to  midnight — Adult Mixer, Cla-Zel;  featuring music, food, and drinks; a $3 fee per person benefits the Bowling Green Chamber Young Professionals Group.
10:15 to  midnight — Open Ice Skating, BGSU Ice Arena; admission is $4 per person, $2 for children under 3 with an adult; all skate rentals are $2 per person.
Sunday’s activities include:
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Pancake Breakfast, Senior Center; support the BG Youth Hockey Team while enjoying a pancake breakfast; a $6 fee per person allows you to indulge in all the pancakes and sausage you can eat.
Noon to 2 p.m. — Horse Carriage Rides, being in front of the Wood County District Public Library; cost $2 per person.
1 to 4 p.m. — Children’s Illustrator: Ben Mahan, Wood County District Public Library; Mahan is illustrator of multiple Muppet books and artwork for the Sesame Street TV shows;  free and open to the public. Art demonstrations, coloring, cookies and a book signing will also take place.
1:30 p.m. - Ice sculptor Chad Hartson will offer live ice sculpting demonstrations outside of the Wood County District Public Library.
2 p.m. — BGSU Women’s Gymnastics, Senior Day versus Ohio State, Anderson Arena.
2 p.m. — Singin’ In The Rain, Black Swamp Players.
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Open Ice Skating, BGSU Ice Arena; admission is $4 per person, $2 for children under 3 with an adult, all skate rentals are $2 per person.