The annual Findley Lake Winterfest and Tree Burning was rescheduled for Sunday because of the high winds last weekend.

FINDLEY LAKE — Oh, the weather outside was frightful … frightful enough for the fourth annual Findley Lake Winterfest and tree burning to be postponed until Sunday.

The event, originally scheduled for Jan. 13, was rescheduled due to high winds, which prevented the tree burning, as well as a Western New York travel ban, announced because of an anticipated blizzard and whiteouts.

The Annual Winterfest and Christmas Tree Burning is held at Alexander’s on the Lake located by the shore of Findley Lake. It is organized and sponsored by Alexander’s Restaurant and Findley Lake Landscape and Supply, which sells Christmas trees throughout the holiday season.

Generally, the Winterfest has a very good turnout, with visitors coming from Clymer, Corry, Harborcreek, North East, Ripley and Sherman, as well as from the Findley Lake and French Creek areas, said Scott Porter, co-owner of Findley Lake Landscape and Supply.

Porter said postponing the event was in the best interest of everyone. “With the wind we had, for the safety of all, this was the best thing to do,” he said.

However, Chris Rocske, general manager, said there is still great anticipation for this year’s Winterfest. “We have our fingers crossed that we will be able to do it,” she said.

Porter added he is optimistic because the forecast is good.

Each year, Alexander’s on the Lake Restaurant shares in the festivities by providing special drinks and foods, as well as an outdoor fire pit and patio heater. Many of the drinks offered involve Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey because of its association with tree burning.

This year, representatives from Fireball were supposed to visit Alexander’s, It is unknown if they can attend the rescheduled event.

Rocske said this year’s tree burning will be extra fun because Alexander’s is having a contest in which patrons try to guess the number of trees being incinerated. Porter noted there are “more trees than ever this year.”