Newtown’s Winter Color Guard teams have been practicing for the upcoming competition season.

Preparing to compete, the students have been learning new choreography and practicing flag spins and rifle tosses since December. The Varsity and Junior Varsity teams will perform each Saturday at area schools in February and March, finishing the season with scheduled championships on April 1.

Winter guard performances differ from the fall season shows as they are held indoors in a gymnasium instead of on the field. The teams compete at different levels depending on whether they are made up of high school or middle school students. There are also teams with younger and older members.

The Newtown Winter Color Guard teams are also preparing to host The Winter Extravaganza home show on February 11 at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road.

Newtown will host 19 competing winter guard teams from Connecticut and New York at the event.

The Winter Extravaganza will begin at 5 pm in the high school’s gymnasium, and it will run until approximately 8:30 pm. The event will be followed by senior recognition and awards.

Spectators are welcome to come to watch the performances and enjoy food and desserts made by volunteers. Tickets are $15 for those ten and older and $8 for children under ten.