Winter Wonderfest brightens up Cape Region

The Winter Wonderfest Light Spectacular has returned to Hudson Fields near Milton for a seventh season, offering a mile-long holiday light show featuring favorite Christmas characters, Delaware-themed designs and a new zoo animal-themed collection of displays. 

This is the fourth year the light show is using Hudson Fields. With help from Delaware Electric Cooperative, $140,000 in electrical infrastructure was added to Hudson Fields, said organizer Peter Briccotto. The upgrades eliminate the need for generators and save the nonprofit about $120,000 in electric costs. The electrical infrastructure is also available to any other group that uses Hudson Fields throughout the year, he said.

Festival of Cheer Inc. is the nonprofit organization that runs the event. Since debuting in 2016, the nonprofit has given out nearly $250,000 to local groups via community grants. Recent beneficiaries include Developing Artista Collaboration, Beebe Medical Foundation, Milton Theatre, Lewes Community Garden, Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches, Possum Point Players, Community Resource Center, Harry K Foundation and Primeros Pasos Early Learning Center. Briccotto said most grants are between $1,500 and $5,000, and typically go toward an immediate need. He said the funds have been used to provide handicap accessibility to the Lewes Community Garden, purchase outdoor furniture for the Lewes library and buy a soundboard for Clear Space Theatre Company. Grant applications for this year’s proceeds will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 15. 

Funds raised have also been reinvested in the light show. Briccotto said the organization owns about 45% of the lights. Among those are customized displays of Cape Region icons such as the Dolle’s sign, a fire control tower, a lighthouse and a huge replica of the Indian River Inlet bridge. New this year is a Bottle & Cork display complete with a band of animals jamming out. Also new is a 3D experience. For $5, a vehicle receives a two-pack of 3D glasses, which turn every light display into a show of its own with dancing snowmen. Organizers chose not to screen the light spectacular from Route 1 this year to allow guests to enjoy the 3D experience every time they pass Hudson Fields. 

The Winter Wonderfest Light Spectacular is open from 5 to 10 p.m., every night through Dec. 31. A fireworks show is planned for 6 p.m., New Year’s Eve. Cost is $20 per vehicle Monday through Wednesday and $25 per vehicle Thursday through Sunday. Wagon rides through the show are also available. To purchase tickets or find information about volunteering, go to wonderfestde.org.