Santa presides over Winter Wonderfest's first community gift

Making good on its promise to share its fundraising with the Sussex County community, on Dec. 2 officials from Festival of Cheer Inc. presented Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation with a $3,000 check to benefit the nonprofit organization's support of educational initiatives for the Cape Henlopen School District.

The gift comes from the fundraising activities at Winter Wonderfest, organized by Festival of Cheer Inc. "The success of this event is why we couldn't wait to begin sharing gifts with deserving organizations such as CHEF," says Peter Briccotto, producer of this first-year event designed to support nonprofit organizations serving Sussex County. "The money we raise during Winter Wonderfest stays right here in Sussex County.”

"It's so gratifying that our community cares so much about our kids," says Alyssa Titus, who received the $3,000 donation on behalf of the CHEF organization. The celebration was hosted by Santa next to his two-story Christmas tree at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal where Winter Wonderfest's Christmas Village is taking place Fridays and Saturdays through Christmas, and every day thereafter until New Year's Day.

Indoors at the ferry terminal, families may also enjoy a variety of hands-on holiday craft classes conducted by Titus. Among them are workshops for making holiday ornaments and stockings, decorating a gingerbread house, plus how to make a snow owl, a pine cone picture frame and a keepsake snow globe.

The outdoor Christmas Village offers carnival rides, skating on the I-Rink, live entertainment, plus a toasty fire pit for roasting s'mores. And each week, local charities can participate in the Giving Tree, sharing fundraising proceeds with Winter Wonderfest.

For as little as $5, visitors may inscribe a special holiday ornament to recognize loved ones in their life. The ornaments are being displayed on the Giving Tree throughout the holiday season. This weekend's organizations include Relay for Life Friday, Dec. 9. On Saturday, Dec. 10, both Relay for Life and Meals on Wheels are featured.

Winter Wonderfest's other fundraising event is the Light Spectacular two-mile tour at Cape Henlopen State Park. It features 60 dazzling holiday light shows by renowned Brandano Displays. "It's a carload of fun for families with kids," says Briccotto. "This is our first year, so we're not the biggest, yet. But right now we're doing our very best to develop Winter Wonderfest to create a brighter future for Sussex County. The support from our organizers, sponsors, volunteers and not to mention the thousands of visitors shows us how much people care about this community! And we're offering $5 off every ticket purchased online for the Light Spectacular show. So load up the car! It's a lot of holiday memories for just $15. And tremendous support for our community fundraising!"

"We're already reaching our goal," says Josh Grapski, spokesperson for Winter Wonderfest. “As of last weekend, over 13,000 people have toured the Light Show in the park. And we've hosted over 6,000 visitors at the Christmas Village, which opened a week after the show in the park. And we have four more weeks to go!" Grapski's company, La Vida Hospitality, Is a presenting sponsor of Winter Wonderfest along with Schell Brothers.

The popularity keeps growing. WBOC-TV is including Winter Wonderfest as part of its Christmas Eve Special to broadcast Dec. 24. A fly-over by the WBOC helicopter will give viewers a dramatic perspective of the Light Spectacular at Cape Henlopen State Park. As Grapski points out, Winter Wonderfest is making many efforts to provide support for Sussex County, and to make lasting memories at the Delaware beaches for thousands of families and friends.

Schedules for the Christmas Village and the Light Spectacular, and ticket information are available at www.wonderfestde.org.