Volunteers needed Nov. 3-7 for WonderFest light displays setup

As the holidays grow closer, the effort to bring festive holiday light displays is already starting to happen. "It's a lot of work," says Winter WonderFest Executive Producer Peter Briccotto. "But more than that, it's a lot of fun for a community that pulls together to help create Delaware's biggest holiday fundraiser." He noted, "We promised to make this year's Light Spectacular bigger and brighter than our first show last year."

According to John Brandano, renowned Florida-based lighting designer for the holiday displays, his team will be installing over 90 displays this year, 30 percent more than last year. "The giant igloo is sure to be a crowd pleaser!" said Brandano. "I've installed shows throughout the country, and I was amazed at the overwhelming turnout of people in Sussex County who helped us put together last year's show. The community spirit here in Lewes is awesome!"

Opening day is Friday, Nov. 17, part of the Dashing through the Show weekend festivities through Sunday, Nov. 19.

Visitors to the Light Spectacular this year will enjoy an all-new route through the park to see the dazzling displays nestled among the trees and landscape within Cape Henlopen State Park.

The tour will include five over-the-road displays for vehicles to drive through. The show also includes 58 different holiday scenes (18 more than last year), plus 19 animated installations. "That's eight more than last year," said Briccotto, who added his group is honoring the commitment to make the 2017 event bigger and brighter than the first year, which hosted over 11,000 vehicles with more than 47,000 visitors.

A full-scale ice rink will also open this year at the Christmas Village Lewes Ferry Terminal location, thanks to support from Visit Delaware, the state's tourism division.

John Snow, president of Festival of Cheer, the nonprofit organization which oversees Winter WonderFest, says this year's event will be bigger, requiring even more people to volunteer their time. The first opportunity is the Light Spectacular installation which will take place Nov. 3-7. Details are available online at www.wonderfestde.org.

Volunteers are also needed for the expanded Christmas Village including: cashiers, skate rentals, merchandise and information booths, midway games, Santa’s Workshops, and setup and breakdown.

Briccotto says at least 25 people are needed each day Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 17 to Dec. 3. Winter WonderFest activities in the Christmas Village and the Light Spectacular will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Additional days and hours for the Visit Delaware Ice Rink are available at www.wonderfestde.org, along with information for volunteers to sign up.

Advance tickets, registration for the 5K Dashing through the Show, and special $10 car raffle tickets are also available online. Visitors may also call the Winter WonderFest Box Office at 302-727-0221. Box office hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Proceeds support Winter WonderFest through the Festival of Cheer Community Grant Program. Grants awards are designated exclusively for Sussex County nonprofit groups. "The money we raise here stays right here in Sussex County," says Briccotto.

Winter WonderFest is produced by Festival of Cheer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building traditions through the creation of cultural events and creating brighter futures for those residing in or visiting Sussex County by awarding grants to deserving Sussex County nonprofits. Last year, more than $100,000 from Winter WonderFest was distributed to 17 nonprofit organizations. For more information, go to www.festivalofcheer.org.