MASSENA - Although there’s no hint of Old Man Winter in the air - yet - one of the topics of discussion at last week’s Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting was winter, specifically, the 2013 Winter Carnival.

Winter Carnival Committee member Miriam S. Catapano said they’ve already starting working on plans for the event, which will start with the Massena Cup Outdoor Hockey Tournament from Jan. 18-20 at the Massena Arena Annex and then take a break before resuming with the remainder of the activities from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.

Ms. Catapano said they’re still in the preliminary stages of planning the event, but right now they plan to do one round of kid’s events the weekend of the hockey tournament and another the following the weekend.

They also plan to change the names of the Ladies Day In craft show at the Hawkins Point Visitor’s Center to the Winter Carnival Market, she said.

The Winter Carnival Market would be held at Hawkins Point on Feb. 2, the first day of the annual dog sled races, she said, and kid’s events would be held the second day.

Before that, though, there will be some preliminary festivities to kick off the Winter Carnival.

“Basically it’s pretty much the same format,” with a parade, fireworks and the dog sled races highlighting the events, Ms. Catapano said.

The parade, however, may have a new parade route, she said. Typically it begins on Water Street and winds up at the Creative Playground on Danforth Place. Organizers are thinking about changing the finish point to the chamber’s new office on Church Street, where they could then enjoy hot chocolate afterward.

Chamber Executive Director Michael J. Gleason said the parking would be better at their location.

“This will keep everything kind of central,” he said.

Ms. Catapano said fellow committee member Susan E. Stiles has come up with some ideas for an opening ceremony, but those need to be finalized.

“The opening ceremony is really going to be exciting if we can pull it off,” she said.

The committee will continue their planning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Village Inn.

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