AUBURN — Drinks were pouring, music was going and the party was getting started at the ice bar at the Auburn Winter Festival on Main Street Saturday night. 

Jasmine McLoughlin, program and special event coordinator for the city of Auburn, was happy with the turnout — the Ice Bar event had sold out of the 250 available tickets before it even started.

“All the money goes back into the Winter Fest account,” McLoughlin said. “It stays within the program.

“It’s great — we’ve had hundreds of people here today.”

There were a lot of kids at the petting zoo and the snow playground during the day, McLoughlin said. 

“It’s perfect weather,” McLoughlin said. “It’s cold, but we expected that — it’s winter.”

Some other offerings Saturday included a family movie, hot chocolate, and bunco. There was also the Baxter 10K Dualthon at Lost Valley, a metal-forging demonstration by L/A Arts at 1 Great Falls Plaza, and an appearance from Slugger the Seadog at Festival Plaza. 

The Winter Festival is a weekend-long event, and the ice bar was open from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

After that? Fireworks.

Skosh played a live set all night in the heated party tent, which offered drinks and space for dancing. 

The band opened its set with a quick greeting — and a pun:

“Hello Auburn Winter Fest. We are Skosh, and this show is going to be in-“tents.” 

Geena Lucas of Lewiston said she was enjoying the music.

“Good band and good energy,” she said.  

Gritty’s, Baxter Brewing Co., and Southern Wine and Spirits sponsored the event and stocked the bar. There were signature cocktails, margaritas and beer on tap.

Kristen Luksza of New Auburn was happy she had come to the event — and though she had prepared for the night to be cold, she was pleasantly surprised that the tent was heated. 

“I went over to Lost Valley but haven’t been to anything else (for the festival) yet,” she said. “But when I came over earlier today to get my ticket, it was cute to see all the kids playing at the petting zoo. 

“I’m trying to do more in the community,” she said, “and I think it’s great when they do stuff like this.”

Sunday’s Winter Festival Agenda

• Snow Playground at Festival Plaza, all day

• Lake Auburn Scenic Trails, Whitman Spring Road, North Gate, all day

• Fat Bike Poker Run, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lost Valley Ski Area, $30 

• Free Snowshoe Hike, 10 a.m., Mount Apatite

• LuLaRoe Multi-Consultant Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch

• L/A Arts Fire & Ice Café/Cabaret: One Great Falls Plaza:

    – Jazz Brunch with Three Point Jazz, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

    – Valentine-making arts and crafts for kids, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  

    – Live auction of the metal sculpture made by New England School of Metalwork, 4 p.m.

• Pet a Pony, noon – 2 p.m. at Brickwell Barn, North River Road

• Auburn Housing Authority Open House, noon – 2 p.m., 156 Main St.

• Larry Gowell Concert, 2 to 4 p.m., the Woman’s Literary Union