NORTHFIELD — With a four-day lineup of festivities, the first-ever Winter Weekend Festival is making the most of the fresh snow, including through its featured event: a snowman contest.

In addition to the eclectic mix of arts and crafts activities, outdoor recreation, games and meals, the snowman contest, sponsored by AGH Disposal & Recycling LLC and hosted by the Northfield Recreation Commission, will bring people together on the front lawn of Town Hall. Contestants are expected to build their snowmen on Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, in advance of judging on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. Any materials can be used.

“We wanted a reason to bring the community together during the winter,” Leslie Cameron, who owns Cameron’s Winery and The Back Room Brewing Co. with her husband Paul, said of the rationale behind organizing the festival for the first time.

The festival is part of a larger effort to attract visitors to Northfield’s businesses.

“There’s a lot of new businesses in Northfield that will benefit … and a lot of older ones, too,” Cameron said.

Timed with the occasion, Cameron’s Winery will hold its 12th annual chocolate wine tasting and its 10th annual cider and cheese tasting, both from Friday through Sunday. Cameron’s Winery will also host Adria Lowry Unique Floral Design for a winter floral design class on Sunday at 2 p.m. (registration is required) and The Back Room Brewing Co. will serve its collection of winter beers while providing a weenie roast and campfires on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Businesses and organizations across town are coming together to offer entertainment, including Dickinson Memorial Library, the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center, The Brewery at Four Star Farms, Fiddleheads Gallery, the Northfield Food Mart, Kidder & Co. Inc., Tom White Pottery, the Northfield Recreation Commission, the Northfield Fire Department, Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9874, Blossom Winks Face Painting, the Northfield Golf Club and Northfield’s Trinitarian Congregational Church.

In collaboration with Adams Farm in Athol, the VFW is spearheading a pig roast at the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center on Saturday, with seatings at 2 and 3 p.m.

According to Bob Henry of the VFW, profits earned from the pig roast will go directly to support local veterans. Tickets, which cost $15, are available through The Brewery at Four Star Farms, Cameron’s Winery, the Northfield Recreation Commission and VFW Post 9874. Limited tickets will be available at the door.

Over at the Senior Center, the Northfield Junior Firefighters will judge a chili cook-off and dole out bowls for attendees to sample on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while supplies last. Contestants are asked to arrive with their slow cookers between 10:30 and 11 a.m.

The firefighters will be grading the chili based on aroma, texture, heat, uniqueness, flavor and best overall. Proceeds from the $10 entry fees as well as the suggested $3 donation to sample the entries will support the Northfield Junior Firefighters.

Organizers are hoping the Winter Weekend Festival will attract people from across Franklin County and the surrounding region, giving visitors a glimpse at what Northfield has to offer.

“Northfield is a hidden gem,” Cameron said. “We sparkle in tourism. There’s something for everybody.”

To see the full schedule of events between Thursday and Sunday, visit tinyurl.com/NorthfieldWinterFestival.