The harsh winter weather has officially set in despite a warm start to the season.  The first blizzard of the year has passed, though its icy remnants remain. As anyone who has battled a West Virginia winter knows, hot cocoa is the definitive weapon against the relentless cold.

The Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District will partner with the Huntington Museum of Art to sponsor a hot cocoa hike Saturday at 10 a.m.

“It’s a free event open to all ages,” said programmer for the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District, Stacey Leep said. “It was actually an idea that Cindy Dearborn at the Huntington Museum of Art had, to partner with us at the Parks District. We wanted to have an activity where folks could come and partake in a hike. We collaborated together, and are having a natural trail assistant lead the hike. We also have an art teacher there who will lead participants in a craft activity making birdfeeders.”

Huntingtonians and nature-lovers alike are encouraged to bring their families to the weekend event. The hike will last for about two miles through the trails behind the Huntington Museum of Art.

In addition to the hot cocoa hike, the Parks board is sponsoring weekly hikes in Huntington’s Rotary Park in an effort to encourage city residents to participate in communal physical activities. The next hike is scheduled for Feb. 6.

Lukas Hagley can be contacted at [email protected]