Winter Festival at PCCI: Celebrate the Season, Together
Winter in Michigan invites us to do something meaningful. Instead of hiding from the cold, we can step outside, move our bodies, and connect with one another in ways that spark joy, resilience, and belonging. That is the spirit behind Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s Winter Festival on Saturday, February 21, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.
Join us for a free, family-friendly afternoon filled with winter fun at every turn. You will find sledding, snowshoeing, ice mining, scavenger hunts, winter crafts, board games, movies, and plenty of time for open play and shared laughter. We will also have chili, cornbread, and cookies for sale to keep everyone warm and well-fed inside the cozy Visitors Center.
Time spent outdoors during winter has real benefits. Research shows that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and support mental well-being even in the colder months. One study published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine found that winter outdoor activities were associated with increased feelings of vitality and reduced seasonal mood changes. Other research in the Journal of Environmental Psychology highlights that shared seasonal activities strengthen social connections and deepen a sense of community and belonging, especially for children and families.
At the Winter Festival, Executive Director Virginia Bolshakova will lead a brief Introduction to Honey Sensory Analysis, showing how honey reflects the landscape, biodiversity, and stewardship of place. If you enjoy this experience, you are invited to join the Honey Sensory Analysis Workshop happening on March 21, where we will explore honey’s flavors, aromas, and stories more deeply together. Register here.
Events like the Winter Festival remind us why community gatherings matter. They give us reasons to play, learn, and be present with one another, especially when the season is quiet and the days are short.
A heartfelt thank you to Commercial Bank for sponsoring this event and making it free and open to all.
Bundle up, bring your people, and celebrate winter the PCCI way — outside, together, and fully alive to the season!
Sources:
White, M. et al. Social benefits of shared nature experiences: Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Frumkin, H. et al. Effects of winter outdoor activities on mood: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.
Register today.
Be inspired together in nature.