City, YMCA sponsoring Deep Freeze Days

Newton Independent

The City of Newton and the Newton YMCA are hosting a variety of events as part of Deep Freeze Days set for Feb. 24 and 25.

Activities begin on Chill Out Day on Friday, Feb. 24, with a six-person volleyball tournament at the Newton YMCA and the start of a doubles raquetball tournament, sponsored by Clemon-Maki Insurance. Both tournaments begin at 5:30 p.m. Cost for the volleyball tournament is $60. The team cost for the raquetball tournament is $40, with a guarantee of at least two games.

Events are scheduled throughout the day and at venues across town on Big Freeze Day on Saturday, Feb. 25, highlighted by the Jack Frost 5K where all proceeds from registrations will go toward the cost of the annual Fourth of July fireworks display in Newton. Activities and times are as follows:

• 7:30 - 8 a.m. - Registration for Jack Frost 5K. Cost is $25 per person by Feb. 14 and $30 per person from Feb. 15 to race day.
• 8 - 10 a.m. - Newton Noon Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at YMCA.
• 8 a.m. - Kiddie Popcicle 1K - Free
• 8:30 a.m. - Jack Frost 5K.
• 8:30 a.m. - Doubles raquetball tournament continues
• 9:30 a.m.- Registration for Hoop It Up 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Cost is $50 per team prior to Feb. 8 and $60 after that date.
• 10 a.m. Basketball tournament begins.
• 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Project AWAKE beverage and snack stand open at Newton Arboretum at Agnes Patterson Park.
• 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Newton Arboretum Winter Olympics. Contests include a snowman building contest, snowball toss and a two-person "Dog" sled pull (must bring own sled). All events are free and alternative activities will be held in the event of no snow.
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. - Registration opens for Project AWAKE checker tournament at arboretum. Cost is $5 per person with proceeds to Project AWAKE/Newton Arboretum.
• 1- 4 p.m. - Checker tournament runs.
• 1 - 3 p.m. - Jasper County Conservation Board cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Agnes Patterson Park. Cost is $10.
• 3-4 p.m. - Winter Magic Show and Balloon Animal Extravaganza with Jonathan May at the Newton Community Theatre in the YMCA. Cost is $4 per person.

All registrations and payments may be made at the Newton YMCA or at the Newton Parks and Recreation offices at the Newton Arboretum.