NEWRY, Maine ??” Sunday River has designed the second week in January specifically for families. Children’s Festival Week offers free skiing, lodging and learning for kids plus a jam-packed youth oriented entertainment schedule with help from Nickelodeon.

Children’s Festival Week at Sunday River will give kids the chance to meet Nickelodeon characters SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer. An exclusive line of Nickelodeon winter apparel will be available at the Sunday River Sports retail location starting in January, as well as at fellow American Skiing Company resorts.

“Spending time on the slopes with your family is about as good as it gets for a parent,” said Jim Costello, proud dad and Sunday River vice president of brand management. “Our Children’s Festival Week is tailor made for families, from the free factor to the entertainment. Having Nickelodeon on the snow with us this year will make the week even more memorable.”

Packages start at $85 per night for the adults while accompanying kids can receive free skiing, lodging, full-day Perfect Turn clinics and rentals. Day care is available during Children’s Festival Week at half-price. Guests are urged to call (800) 543-2SKI to reserve their Children’s Festival Week package. Lodging check in for the Festival Week begins on Sunday, Jan. 8.

The current entertainment schedule, which continues to expand, starts with discounted snow tubing and free hot chocolate at the White Cap Fun Center on Monday. Tubing will be followed by an evening torchlight parade down the slopes capped off with a fireworks display.

On Tuesday, kids can take part in a Dora the Explorer themed scavenger hunt. Later that evening Sunday River is hosting a magic show by renowned magician George Saterial, plus a movie sponsored by Nickelodeon.

Snow sculpting becomes a competitive sport on Wednesday outside the South Ridge Base Lodge, plus a there’s a karaoke party complete with Nickelodeon Trivia.

Thursday’s grand finale includes Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob Squarepants live in South Ridge Base Lodge for a Nickelodeon themed scavenger hunt. Kids who take part get a special gift from Sunday River Sports.