GREENFIELD — The city will transform into a “polar playground” for its 103rd annual Winter Carnival from Friday to Sunday.

This year’s event will feature some beloved traditions, such as its ice sculpture contest, Family Fun Fest and K-9 Keg Pull, Recreation Director Christy Moore said.

“The majority is just tradition, there’s not a lot of changes with the activities. However, this year, I’m super happy that we actually have snow, because it’s been a number of years that we have only had cold weather for Winter Carnival, not actual snow,” Moore said. “We have a snowshoe trek that is at Highland Park so people can learn to snowshoe if you just were gifted snowshoes, maybe during the holidays, or just have a pair that you’ve never been able to use because we hadn’t had a lot of snow. There’s just really something for everybody.”

The festival will kick off Friday with an ice sculpting display, where attendees can also vote on their favorite masterpieces. Later in the evening, festival-goers are encouraged to enjoy the Greenfield Business Association’s Downtown Defrost and Mesa Verde’s Polar Patio before the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. and Beacon Field fireworks at 7 p.m.

This year’s Parade of Lights, Moore said, has already attracted more than 20 entries, the largest number Moore said she has seen since she began organizing the event in 2007.

“It’s definitely grown and developed through the years,” Moore said. “There’s activities inside and outside, and it’s just a great celebration where the community all comes together in downtown Greenfield outside at the park at Beacon Field. It’s just one of our community gems.”

On Saturday, festivities will continue with numerous family events, such as a Youth Basketball League game at Greenfield Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a family scavenger hunt at the Greenfield Public Library at 10 a.m. and a family dance lesson at Dawn’s School of Dance at 12:30 p.m.

For the first year, Moore said, the carnival will feature a “sensory hour,” between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday at 20 Sanderson St. for those who wish to enjoy arts and crafts in a quieter, less crowded environment. In the evening, Greenfield Middle School will host a “glow party” at 5:30 p.m.

“It’s really fun. We have a DJ, we have black lights, we have all kinds of glow accessories. People actually come with their own outfits that have glued glowsticks on them,” Moore said. “Some of the kids are really creative, but it’s just an opportunity for kids and families to come hit the dance floor and enjoy some time together.”

On Sunday, there will be family events such as a free Garden Cinemas screening of “Happy Feet 2” at 10 a.m., and crafts and karaoke hosted by the arcade startup Gaudium Galaxy at noon at 170 Main St.

At Beacon Field, a sledding event, cookie bake-off, chili bake-off, horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, and a vintage snowmobile show will all occur from noon to 4 p.m. Attendees will also be able to enjoy the K-9 Keg Pull at 1 p.m., a flash mob at 1:30 p.m. and a cardboard sled contest at 2:30 p.m.

“The K-9 Keg Pull is very popular, the cardboard sled, the sleigh rides, the vintage snowmobiles. Now that we actually have snow, they should be able to give some rides, which is really cool to see some of these old vintage snowmobiles in action,” Moore said. “We definitely love our animals and like to enjoy spending time with them and watching them do funny things.”

Throughout the weekend, the Mayor’s Task Force Against Domestic Violence will host a donation drive for basic need items, such as toiletries, socks and nonperishable foods. Donations can be dropped off at the Greenfield Police Station at 321 High St., the Greenfield Public Library at 412 Main St. and Beacon Field during festivities.

“The Winter Carnival is a truly joyous time of year for Greenfield,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher said in a statement. “I want to thank our Recreation Department for always organizing a fun slate of festivities. We welcome all to experience the Winter Carnival and all the wonderful activities Greenfield has to offer.”

A full schedule of Winter Carnival activities can be found online at visitgreenfieldma.com/event/greenfields-103rd-annual-winter-carnival/.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.