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I guess there are two ways to confront winter in Massachusetts: You could hibernate indoors and hang on until warm weather returns in the spring; or you could embrace the season and revel outdoors in the cold. If you're not into skiing, snowboarding, or other cold-weather sports, however, how could you celebrate the season? Lowell has the answer. Head to the Mill City on February 9 or 10 for its annual Lowell Winterfest. It looks to be an event-packed festival with non-stop entertainment, food, and wacky events, including a human dogsled competition.

Winterfest kicks off on Friday, February 9 with "Fire and Ice Bonfires." I don't know what that means, exactly, but it sounds intriguing. There will also be a wide variety of music, a hot soup competition (that should help keep everyone warm), rides, ice skating, a chocolate factory, juggling clowns, and bunch of other fun-sounding stuff. Teams crazy enough to enter the dogsled competition are also encouraged to dress in wild costumes (like the Nanooks pictured). Some of the activities are indoors (thank goodness), while some are held in a heated tent (thank goodness again). The whole shebang ends with a bang--a winter fireworks display.

Lowell Winterfest
February 9 and 10
Downtown Lowell
Most activities are free

Photo: Lowell Winterfest