Winter WonderFest extends dates through Jan. 2
Festival of Cheer, the nonprofit organization which produces Winter WonderFest, has extended the festival through Saturday, Jan. 2.
And as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus head back to the North Pole for much-needed rest, friends from “Frozen” will take over Santa’s workshop and elf village from Saturday, Dec. 26, to Jan. 2.
Delaware’s biggest holiday fundraiser opened Nov. 21 to celebrate its fifth-anniversary season. WonderFest is open from 5 to 10 p.m., nightly, including Christmas Eve and Christmas, through Jan. 2.
More than 12,000 vehicles’ occupants have enjoyed this year’s special drive-through experience, setting a new festival record. To reach their fundraising goals, organizers hope a total of 14,000 vehicles will enter the WonderFest gates.
John Snow, Festival of Cheer president, said, “Our nonprofit felt strongly, especially this year, that the show must go on. People need their spirits lifted during this difficult time, and so we made the decision back in July to go forward with our 2020 event. We worked through the various health, funding and planning challenges to deliver a safe and beautiful WonderFest experience when it was so desperately needed.”
WonderFest 2020 features an enhanced mile-long light spectacular with a new fantasy forest grand entrance. After the dazzling drive through the lights, guests arrive at the North Pole featuring the new secret elf village and a special greeting from “Frozen” friends in Santa’s workshop.
Organizers rely on the generosity of every car’s occupants to help them reach their 2020 fundraising goals, including $30,000 to support community grants, $40,000 to install power improvements to expand the light spectacular, and $25,000 to support a new attraction for WonderFest 2021.
“The incredible success and growth of our festival has been fueled by dozens of generous sponsors, hundreds of dedicated volunteers – and every car that passes through the gates. I believe you can find light shows across our nation, but very few with heart of WonderFest.” said Peter Briccotto, event director.
Since launching in 2016, WonderFest’s impact has reverberated throughout the community. Festival of Cheer awarded more than $150,000 in grants to Sussex County charities during 2016 and 2017. More than $500,000 festival proceeds from 2018 and 2019, along with private grants, were invested in the purchase of the ice rink, doubling the size of the light spectacular and phase one installation of cost-saving infrastructure at Hudson Fields.
Volunteers of all ages have found a true sense of purpose by giving more than 20,000 hours to create and operate the event. WonderFest also provides the business community with an economic anchor to increase tourism during its seven-week run.
For more information, email info@wonderfestde.org or go to wonderfestde.org.
