NORTHAMPTON — Pulaski Park will host Northampton’s inaugural Winterfest this Saturday, an event that coincides with the city’s traditional ice sculpture festival in a celebration of the winter season that’s expected to give the city’s downtown a boost during an otherwise slow period of business.

The event, which is free and will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, will feature hot chocolate, roasting s’mores over an open fire, live music and a crafts table for children. The event was organized by the Downtown Northampton Association with a goal of attracting visitors downtown during the cold winter months, said Jillian Duclos, the interim executive director for the association.

“The DNA likes to drive events in all different times of the year,” Duclos said in an interview. “We try to hit every quarter, to do something big and flashy to bring people downtown to show everybody what Northampton has to offer.”

Several downtown businesses are also helping directly with the event. The fire pit used to roast s’mores was lent to the event by Eastside Grill, hot chocolate will be provided by Cafe Balagan, and the kids crafts table is being sponsored by the A2Z Science & Learning Toy Store. An information table will also be set up at the festival to detail other events happening in the city, such as an planned arts exhibit at Forbes Library.

“What’s really amazing is that downtown businesses do a lot to uplift what’s going on in the community, and to bring the community together,” Duclos said. “There’s a huge interest not only in bringing people downtown so that they can shop and eat, but to create that kind of community feeling where people come to Northampton and they want to live, work, play and visit here.”

Though the Winterfest event is new, those visiting downtown over the weekend can witness the more familiar site of ice sculptures dotting the area surrounding Main Street. Several sculptors work to turn blocks of ice into works of art, at locations including Forbes Library, Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary and in front of City Hall.

New for this year, ice sculptures will also appear along Strong Avenue, with the street also having served as an attraction during the summer months by turning into a pedestrian-only street hosting outdoor dining services.

“We’re really trying to expand the definition of downtown,” Duclos said. “There’s a wide array of businesses that are really excited to host local art and also showcase what they have to offer downtown.”

Temperatures for Saturday appear befitting of a winter festival: Current forecasts show the city having a high of 19 degrees that day, with partly cloudy skies following a chance of snow Friday night.

In addition to the DNA, the Winterfest event is also sponsored by Smith College, Greenfield Savings Bank, Thornes Marketplace and Wahlen Insurance.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.