Winter WonderFest 2017 to kick off with July 31 reception

This summer, Santa has no downtime. Winter WonderFest, a community holiday attraction created last winter, is finalizing plans for bigger and brighter festivities in 2017. That includes Christmas in July - a summer celebration awarding grants to deserving local nonprofit organizations in the Sussex County community. And yes, St. Nick will be there.

Festival of Cheer, the nonprofit creators of Winter WonderFest, will host a reception to celebrate the 17 Sussex County nonprofit organizations that have been awarded grants from the 2016 Winter WonderFest proceeds. The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 31, at Ivy in Dewey Beach. New and renewing sponsors are invited to attend, along with the event's many volunteers.

"Christmas in July is also our kickoff for this year's event. It's an ideal way for new sponsors to see firsthand how much their support means," said Peter Briccotto, executive producer for Winter WonderFest.

Winter WonderFest 2016, which was attended by over 47,000 visitors, pledged that all fundraising proceeds would be committed to supporting deserving organizations only in Sussex County.

"It was unprecedented," said John Snow, president of Festival of Cheer Inc. "In our first year, Winter WonderFest exceeded expectations by raising $150,000."

As a result, charitable grants for local nonprofit groups total just over $100,000. Festival of Cheer Inc. awarded 15 grants totaling $52,500 through the Community Grant Fund, plus $28,000 to Cape Henlopen State Park and $15,000 to Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation. An additional $4,800 has been awarded through the organizaiton's Giving Tree Program. The remaining funds will be reinvested to expand Winter WonderFest 2017.

"You can be sure Winter WonderFest will be bigger. And brighter!" said Briccotto. He said the group is planning to have more holiday light displays, plus more carnival rides and new games for the midway. "We listened to our community and have responded to many of their valuable suggestions." The Christmas Village will introduce a real and much larger open-air ice rink, along with an enclosed hospitality area next to the rink.

The one aspect that has not changed is the need to provide funding to support Winter WonderFest.

"Our sponsors are the lifeblood of our organization. New sponsors, in addition to the ones from last year, are critical to our growth and success," said Briccotto. "They appreciate the fact that their support stays right here in Sussex County."

Brittany Danahy, first vice president and sponsorship chair for Winter WonderFest, said almost all of the 2016 sponsors are returning this year. "In fact, this year one of our Presenting Sponsors, Preston Automotive, is donating a new vehicle for a fundraising car raffle," she said. Details will soon be released, and Festival of Cheer confirms that Saturday, Dec. 23, Santa will give away a new Jeep Wrangler or Ford Mustang to a lucky raffle winner.

Briccotto said sponsorships are available through the end of summer. "'Our Christmas in July celebration is an ideal opportunity for sponsors to learn more about Winter WonderFest, and all its benefits for our community," said Briccotto.

For more information or to RSVP by Thursday, July 20, contact Peter Briccotto at peter@wonderfestde.org or 302-519-2025.