Category Archives: winter

January 12, 2025

Frozen Fire Festival (Salem, MA)

Date Of Event: January 1, 2025

Location: Charlotte Forten Park, 289 Derby St, Salem, MA

Cost: Free

Parking: There are several parking lots and garages in the area (parking was free during my visit because of the holiday)

Universally Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Website: Frozen Fire Festival

Summary: Performers performed death defying acrobatic and fiery acts in a free event open to the public

Just because the “big holidays” were over, it doesn’t mean the festivities were over in Salem, MA!

During the week after Christmas and New Year’s Day, Salem has been hosting a variety of daredevils, acrobats and entertainers.

As you will see in this post, it was difficult to select the most interesting and fun photos to post. The entertainers were so talented and the event had so much to offer!

The events for each day varied slightly. I went on New Year’s Day, the last day of the event. There wasn’t a big crowd, perhaps in part because it was the last day of the event. While the event was free, people could rent an igloo to keep warm and there were food and beverage stations as well as curling lanes and warming stations.

People had so much fun curling! I never knew people could have so much fun playing this modified version of curling. Or, how intense the competition could be!

There were also smore or marshmallow stations. People could make their own smores or just toast marshmallows!

There was also a swing if you wanted to take a break and just relax.

There were also ice sculptures at the event. Since it was a mild day, there was only one sculpture I could photograph.

Now, on to the main attractions of the event! There were 6 half hour performances each hour. Some of the performers performed several times. But, their performances changed somewhat each time they performed. Some of the photos were taken at various performances throughout the day. Of course, it being New England, it snowed and rain intermittently throughout the day before the event. But, the weather didn’t affect the show!

Jay Moran kicked off the event with some agile fire tricks.

Qatherine showed off her skills.

Celia kept the tension high with her high aerial performance!

Not only was Orissa flexible (she is considered the “most flexible woman in the world), she also is an archery expert…with her feet!

But, my favorite performance of the night was Irina Jang. Not only did she put on an amazing performance, she also gave some great photo opportinities!

The event wasn’t just fun for people! Freya, a 2 year old, mini doodle also had fun at the event!

10 Comments | tags: events, fire, Massachusetts, New England, performers, photographs, Photography, photos, Salem, travel, winter | posted in fire, Massachusetts, New England, performers, photographs, photography, photos, Salem, winter

July 16, 2020

Les Rang (Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: January 10, 2020

Location: Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave, Boston, MA

Website: Les Rang

Summary: An illuminated art installation on Boston’s Seaport District lit up the otherwise bleak winter sky.

Decorative lights during the winter are no big deal, particularly during the holiday season. But one decorative light display stood out. The light display, named “Entres Les Rangs” consisted of hundreds of sticks with reflectors that lit up intermittently.

Entre les rangs, which translates to “between the rows” in English, first debuted in Montreal. It was such a hit, the display was taken over the border all the way to Boston. It has also been displayed in Georgetown, MA and London, England.

Different sequences of blue, pink and purple lights lit up the installation. The reflectors were actually being lit up by bigger lights that you may see in some of the photos which changed the colors of the reflectors.

I was hoping to photograph the display while it was snowing or just after a snow storm. But, uncharacteristically for winter in Boston, there wasn’t much snow in Boston while the display was installed, especially on the days I was available to photograph the installation. This is just one of the things that can go wrong when you’re trying to get that “perfect photo.” But it’s not always possible to control the weather. In fact, it’s pretty darn hard to do this. Another time I went to photograph the display one of the sets of lights wasn’t working. I (and I imagine a small army of visitors) emailed the DCR who was in charge of the upkeep of the display and a few days later it was up and running. Such is the life of a WordPress photographer.

It is unclear if this or any other display will be in the area next winter. But, if they are I will be sure to photograph it. Hopefully it will snow this time!

To view more photos that I do not post on my blog please like or follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Thank you!

13 Comments | tags: Boston, decorations, lights, Massachusetts, New England, winter | posted in Boston, decorations, lights, Massachusetts, New England, Uncategorized, winter

February 11, 2018

Ice Floes (South Hadley, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: January 20, 2017

Location: 1 Alvord St, South Hadley, MA (Brunelle’s Marina)

Cost: Free

Parking: Parking for about 50 cars is available in the lot next to Brunelle’s

Handicapped Accessible: Yes, although some areas may be inaccessible

Dog Friendly: Yes

New England’s bizarre weather has created yet another peculiar attracted that has peaked the interest of countless visitors; ice floes.

But, these icy chunks of frozen water are no ordinary ice floes. These ice floes and ice chunks are so large some people have been seen lying on them, taking selfies on them and walking on them, cautiously (more on that later).

Although most of the ice floes and chunks of ice have surely melted with our recent warming trend, it is likely this may happen again this season or again next winter, although this was a fairly unusual event for this area.

The chunks of ice were stable in most areas. But, not all areas. Let’s just say I may know from experience. So, do be careful if you do visit this icy attraction.

The slabs, caused by frigid temperatures have attracted large crowds.

Despite our downright balmy weather conditions this weekend, it has been a particularly cold winter. But, hey that’s New England for you.

The ice chunks were often found bunched together, almost in a tectonic fashion.

The ice formed some very interesting shapes.

Another interesting aspect of the chunks of ice are the white and blueish colorful hues from the light shining through the ice. The colors reminded me of crystals and diamonds.

A few of the visitors decided to make good use of the snow and made this snowman. But, I’m not sure what the sticks in the head are all about. it’s a little disturbing, actually.

The ice floes are also popular with dogs.

Princess is a 3 year old Maltese.

Winston, a 5 year old English Cream Golden Retriever, barked out his approval of the floes.

Below is a video of the ice floes floating and traveling down the Connecticut River.

9 Comments | tags: Connecticut River, ice, ice floes, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, South Hadley, winter | posted in dogs, ice floes, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, South Hadley, Uncategorized, winter

December 11, 2016

Boston Winter (Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: December 7, 2016 – December 31, 2016 (the skating rink will be open until the end of February, 2017)

Location: Boston City Hall Plaza
1 City Hall Square

Hours:

Chalets
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 7pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 8pm
Christmas Eve 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve 11am – 6pm
New Year’s Day Closed

Site (Skating & Attractions)
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 10pm
Christmas Eve 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve 11am – 6pm
New Year’s Day Closed

Cost: Free

Parking: There are several parking gaarages in the area or you can try street parking (good luck). If you don’t feel like driving, the Government Center Train Stop on the Green Line is directly across from Boston Winter.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: ice skating rink, shops, dj, shops, lights and ddecorations

Web Site: Boston Winter

In an effort to make the city even more festive, Boston has installed a temporary skating rink and holiday attraction. The 11,000 square foot ice skating path (it’s not really a rink but more of a circular ice path) is open to all skaters of any skill level.

The opening of Boston winter, the attraction nott the actual season, was delayed from December 2nd to December 7th because it was not cold enough to sustain the temperatures needed to keep the rink frozen. Sadly, that is not a problem now.

People of all ages, backgrounds and ability took to the ice and reveled in the ice and atmosphere. It’s a great event for couples and it is very family friendly. I’m always surprised to some degree how well behaved and (usually) considerate people are at these events. The walk ways and standing areas – there is no seating available and I’m sure that is by design – is narrow and congested in some areas but people are pretty courteous.

A dj keeps the event fun and loose. He announced different people’s birthdays and tried to get the crowd excited. He reminded me of the dj’s they used to have at roller skating rinks.

In addition to the skating rink, there are vendors selling a variety of goods from belts and clothing to novelty items.

The lighting and decor of the event is both tasteful yet festive. Very often when people and businesses decorate for the holidays they overdo it. I don’t think this was the case at Boston Winter (ok the tree with the spirals that light up may have been a bit much but I liked it!).