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   Hackensack’s annual winter festival “Back to Hack” begins Thursday with winter fun, new events, contests, prizes and entertainment. Four days of events will conclude at the Birchwood Char House on Sunday.

Thursday

   At 8 a.m., the first clue for the Medallion hunt will be released on the Hackensack Visitors Center Facebook page. A meat raffle will be held at the American Legion at 6 p.m.

Friday

   The Medallion Hunt’s second clue will be released at 8 a.m. At noon, Rendezvous Brewing will release “Back to Hack” a lager beer brewed specially for Back to Hack. 

From 5 to 6:30 p.m. enjoy a dinner of smoky & sweet chipolte chicken, rice, salad and cheesecake bars and a show “Frost & Flannel” with live music by Larry Kimball and Mama Wags at UCC Church. Return to Rendezvous Brewing for Trivia at 6 p.m. “BTH Kick Off” Music Bingo and Let’s Make a Deal beginning at 7 p.m. at Birchwood Char House. Live music at the Hackensack American Legion from 7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday

  The third clue for the Medallion hunt will be released at 8 a.m. The Hackensack City Ice Rink will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lights will be turned on at 4:30 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. test your skills at the open disc golf putting course at the Hackensack City Park. Head over to the Hub from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Winter Small Business Indoor Market with lunch available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign up for the Frost Bite Your Fanny 2.5k Fun Run/Walk at 10:00 a.m. Register at the Visitor’s Center, pay your registration fee and freeze your fanny! Run/walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Start and finish will be at the Lucette statue. $100 first place prize. Go inside and warm up with a Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar at Birchwood Char House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

   New this year at Back to Hack is Lucette’s Wild Card Draw Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and its free to play! Start at any location, receive your game card, visit each location and receive one playing card per location (while cards last). Six $100 cash prizes will be awarded and you must be present to win and must have a completed game card. The drawing will be held at the American Legion Post #202  at 5:00 p.m. Participating Locations: Rendezvous Brewing, Hackensack Muni, American Legion Post #202, Barrel & Vine, Birchwood Char House & Bar and Backus American Legion.

   The fourth annual Walley Birchwinkel Snow Golf Challenge will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

   Also new this year is a snowman building contest at 11:30 a.m. Judging will be by Faith in Action and Hackensack Mayor.

   The Hackensack American Legion Post 202 will host a chili feed beginning at noon at the Post. The Hackensack Legion Auxiliary will be hosting a bake sale at the Legion club beginning at noon. Also at noon, the fourth clue for the Medallion Hunt will be released (if needed).

   From 1 to 4 p.m. Bemidji Brewing will be at Birchwood Char House & Bar.

   Another new event this year is the kid’s scavenger hunt from 1:30 to 3 p.m. starting and finishing at the Visitor’s Center.

   Stop in to Swanson’s Bait and Tackle for the children’s indoor fishing game “Blizzard Bite Bash” from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

   “Cuddle and Smooch” with pets from Paws+Claws at the Hackensack Hub from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Pick up your award for your outstanding performance in the Golf Challenge at Rendezvous Brewing at 3 p.m.

   The Hackensack Fire & Rescue Dept. will host their annual fish fry at the fire department from 4 to 7 p.m. After a hot meal warm up by the bonfire in City Park at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate while you prepare for the fabulous fireworks over Birch Lake at 6 p.m.

   Round out the day with live music “In Stereo” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rendezvous Brewing. At 7 p.m. the American Legion will host electronic horse and pig racing.

Sunday

   Rise and shine for an American Legion Auxiliary breakfast at the Legion from 8:30-11:30 a.m. 

   After breakfast, the “Back to Hack - It’s a Wrap” raffle drawing and snowman building winners will be announced followed by Bargo will take place at Birchwood Char House & Bar at 12:30 and 1 p.m. respectively. Cribbage will be at the American Legion at 1 p.m.

   Don’t forget to purchase your raffle tickets at participating businesses throughout Hackensack. Prizes include five cash prizes. Tickets are $10 each. Winners need not be present to win.

   Back to Hack is sponsored by the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses. Outdoor events are subject change.

   If you have not taken the opportunity to see what Back to Hack has to offer for winter fun, don’t miss this chance!

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