It's the first weekend of the 33rd annual Syracuse Winterfest.

Despite a lack of snow, people tried to stay in the winter spirit Saturday enjoying things like ice carving and skating.

Although the longest line was to get tickets for the Hurricane & Sangria mix off, many say the attendance is not what it used to be.

One of the events, the Human Dogsled race, was even cancelled due to low attendance.

But Winterfest president Bill Cooper said the event is actually growing. He says with events more spread out, by location and even by schedule, it can be hard to keep track of official crowd numbers.

One couple who has been coming since the beginning is trying to stay optimistic.

"The weather right now isn't helping, but at least we have the cold,"  said Cindy DiMelo. "I don't know, I just think we need more of this kind of activity so people have things to do to get them out in the Winter." 

In 1988, Winterfest expanded from a weekend festival to six days and to eventually years later, two weeks.