AUBURN — Sometimes the pigtailed girl named Ella stands at the bottom of the hills at Lost Valley Ski Area and watches the skiers glide across the snow.

“I think to myself, ‘Boy they’re good,” the 8-year-old said Friday night. “My mother wants me to wait until I’m older before I start skiing or snowboarding. That’s why they have sliding here, too. I’m going to go sliding tonight and it’s going to be so much fun.”

It is no longer in dispute – there are still plenty of people who enjoy snow season. On Friday, hundreds of them were swarming the events offered by Auburn’s annual Winter Festival.

The festival, which kicked off Friday morning with stories, crafts and tea, offers up events at several locations.

According to Jasmine McLoughlin of the Auburn Recreation Department: “Combining family fun, snowy activities, art, food, entertainment, libations, and lots of winter magic, this is an event to warm the hearts of those who love this time of year, and also to win over those who may not exactly be fans of winter. Auburn’s Winter Festival 2017 offers the very best that winter in Maine has to offer.”

On Friday night at Lost Valley, it was a bonfire and sledding.

“Our first top tonight: S’mores and hot chocolate,” said Rachel Hutch, there with her son, 5, and daughter, 7.

Around the bonfire, which was roaring before dark, the men and women of The Optimist club were serving up both.

“Last year, they ran out of marshmallows,” said group member Lisa Davis. “I think we might this year, too.”

Before the event officially began, the parking lot at Lost Valley was already full. A stream of men, women and kids made their way to the hills, most of them hauling sleds behind them. The temperature was still at nearly 40 degrees and there was hardly any wind at all.

“Everybody seems happy tonight,” Davis said. “How can you not be? It’s beautiful out here.”

On Saturday the ski resort will host The Baxter Duathon, a snowshoe and cross-country ski race. On Sunday, it’s the Fat Bike Poker Run, where visitors can ride the trails and potentially win great prizes like a free fat bike, skydiving and whitewater rafting passes and more.

More information about those events at can be found at lostvalleyski.com

Other events are planned in various locations, including Festival Plaza, the Auburn Public Library, the Foss Mansion, the Women’s Literary Union and Brickwell Farm.

A full list of events can be found at auburnmaine.gov.

Ice bar, fireworks and more

AUBURN — A section of Main Street will be closed Saturday as the Winterfest action continues to roll.

Gritty’s and Baxter Brewing are sponsoring the Winter Fest Ice Bar Saturday at Festival Plaza. The party starts at 5 p.m. with Pinky D’s food truck and music by Josh Hatfield.

Skosh will play from 6 to 9 p.m., with fireworks following.

Spending the night? Festival organizers advise you to grab a room at the Hilton for a discounted price, good all weekend. Just use the code “Auburn Winter Festival.”

Tickets for the Ice Bar event are $10 if purchased before midnight Friday (visit auburnmaine.gov for tickets). Tickets are $15 the day of the event.

“The ticket cost gets you access into the tent to enjoy live music by Skosh, the games and a chance to win several prizes, which will be passed out throughout the evening,” according to a news release.