By MAUREEN PICHÉ

COLTON – For those housebound folks wondering what to do for some indoor-outdoor fun, the Colton Winterfest is back with a full slate of activities Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30.

Entertainment of all sorts abounds at the fest this year, whether you enjoy outdoor sports and recreation, some local entertainment, learning more about your health, buying some new craft items, or sitting down to a community meal.

Outdoor activities on Saturday include the Colton 10 Miler Foot Race at 9 a.m., ski lessons and the informal Family Ski Day at Higley Flow State Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and snowshoeing at Catamount Lodge from 10 a.m. to dusk both Saturday and Sunday.

There’s also sledding, crafts and cookie decorating at the school gymnasium lobby Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For $25, families can enjoy sled dog rides at the Call of the Wild Kennel from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, and for those who prefer their locomotion of the four-poster variety, bed races will be held beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at The Birches in Hannawa.

Sunday offers outdoor fun in the form of Empire State Games X-Cross Ski Races at 10 a.m. at Higley Flow State Park, adult and children’s ski races at the park at 10 a.m., and Sleigh rides through the Thomas Sugar Bush for a nominal charge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition there will be a Quilt Show Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. organized by Lorraine Gowing. The show is one of the largest in the area with quilts from all around the North Country and covering many generations. The show is held at four venues: the Zion Episcopal Church, Colton Hepburn Library all on Main Street in Colton and the Catamount Lodge located south of South Colton on Rt. 56.

Other indoor events include a Health and Craft Fairs held in the CPCS gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, a dance at the Amvets Post at 7 p.m. Saturday, and a foul shooting contest for students Sunday at 1 p.m. at the school.

Many dining options are offered over the weekend. On Saturday morning from 7 to 11 a.m., the Masonic Lodge in Colton will offer a pancake breakfast with maple syrup at the lodge on Main Street. The cost is $$6.5 adults, $6 for children and under five free.

During the day a variety of eats sponsored by the CPCS senior class will be available from the school concession stand just outside the gymnasium. And Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to noon the Altar and Rosary Society offers a complete breakfast with French toast and maple syrup in the school cafeteria. The cost is $5 adults and $3 for children.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the Saturday night spaghetti dinner and variety show at the Colton-Pierrepont Central School cafeteria, beginning with the dinner from 4 to 7 p.m., and followed with the local talent show at 7:30 p.m.

Admission to the dinner is $6 adults, $3 for children 4-12 years, and free for children under 4. Admission to the show, in the CPCS auditorium is $2 adults, $1 for children or $5 for a family.