BIDDEFORD — Starting Friday, downtown Biddeford will be the site of a weekend full of winter fun.

WinterFest, now in its third year, will be bigger and better than ever, say event organizers, with the inclusion of new events at City Theater and adding another day of activities. Most events, except those at City Theater, are free and open to the public.

The annual festival originated as the brainchild of Mayor Alan Casavant, who said at the time that he thought the event was a good way to “nurture our heritage and our history” as well as bring people to the downtown stores, restaurants and other businesses.

The main attraction of the event is the more than three-story-high tower and snow hill that will be built in City Square between City Hall and the court house on Adams Street.

On Friday at 6 p.m., skiers and snowboarders from throughout New England will compete on the tower and hill for $2,000 in prizes during the Big Air and Rail Jam contest.

It’s very unique to have such a contest in the middle of a downtown, said one of the WinterFest organizers, John Maxson.

On Saturday and Sunday, the hill will be open for sliding to the general public.

Some other free events include snowshoeing, snow volleyball, children’s games and a rail demonstration and clinic on Saturday; on Sunday there will be free skating at the West Brook Skating Rink, The 50’s Club will sponsor Bingo and a pie baking contests, and “Down by the River’s Edge,” a film about Canadian migration to Chisholm, will be shown at 3 p.m. at the McArthur Public Library.

Also taking place on Saturday, is “Shop Your Heart Out” where the public is encouraged to visit local businesses for Valentine’s Day gift ideas; and the Chocolate Fair at St. Andre Health Care, 407 Pool St. ”“ take along a coupon from WinterFest to receive free hot chocolate and popcorn.

Performances at the City Theater will include Maine songwriter Dave Mallett on Friday and Justin McKinney on Saturday. Local organizations will be selling food during the events.

Casavant said he thinks WinterFest is a good event for the city because “it brings a little laughter, a little fun and it builds community.” Also, he said, “it breaks down barriers and whenever you can do that, that’s a good thing.”

Maxson said he thinks there will be more people than ever at this year’s event.

“This year, the buzz is out,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot more positive feedback.

“I’ve had phone calls. People stop me on the street,” said Maxson. “It’s growing, but at a pace that we can sustain.”

In the past, unseasonable weather and snow melts have been a problem.

This year, that shouldn’t be the case. Maxson said there is already more snow this year than in the past, in parking lots like The Shops at Biddeford Crossing and Walmart, where the snow is collected for the show hill base. Clean snow from the Biddeford Municipal Airport is used for the top coat.

While it’s a lot of work, Maxson said he’s taken the lead in organizing the event each year because “it’s important to give back to the community and it’s fun.”

Maxson urges one and all to come to WinterFest 2014 in Biddeford City Square.

“Come down and see it. It’s a great time,” he said.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].