Festival of Cheer to bring Winter WonderFEST to the Cape Region
With a focus on making Sussex County a brighter place, community advocates formed a new organization, Festival of Cheer Inc. to enrich lives by creating cultural events and health-related activities throughout the Cape Region and increasing philanthropic support of organizations supporting those residing in and visiting Sussex County.
The organization is in the planning stages for an exciting new festival during the holiday season - Winter WonderFEST. The vision for the family-friendly festival includes a drive-through holiday light display, outdoor ice skating rink, a carnival, a concert series, and more.
In addition to providing residents and visitors a memorable holiday experience, Winter WonderFEST serves an important purpose: proceeds from the festival will be reinvested directly back into the community. Nonprofit organizations that serve Sussex County will be eligible to apply to the Festival of Cheer Fund for grants to support their current projects.
Dee Dee Montgomery, president of Festival of Cheer, shares, “In discussion with many families and businesses, it became clear that there was great potential to create an event for the community to enjoy during the holiday season. It was also abundantly clear that such an event should be used to inspire support for the organizations that make our community a better place.”
Additional members of the board of directors for Festival of Cheer Inc. include: Josh Grapski, first vice president; John Snow, second vice president; Jodi Lyn McLane, treasurer; Brittany Danahy, secretary; and Amy Mault.
Attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, holiday events are successful throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Winter WonderFEST organizers have traveled throughout the region to learn from innovators of winter outdoor events. The most successful events had two things in common: beautiful views and a strong sense of community.
Grapksi said, “The Cape Region has an undeniable draw. With award winning state parks, beaches, retail shops, and restaurants, one main goal of Winter WonderFEST is to highlight the incredible benefits of visiting and living at the beach during the holiday season.”
Festival of Cheer has partnered with Barefoot Ventures to produce this event, and will spend the coming weeks finalizing venues and producing partners. Most importantly, the organization will be working to secure sponsorships to produce a festival of this scope.
Peter Briccotto, executive producer of Winter WonderFEST, says, “Winter WonderFEST is unique compared to many holiday events, and in the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing the tremendous impact it will have on our community. With such a phenomenal potential influx of tourism, charitable giving, and happiness, we hope the community will support this project with excitement!”
The organizers of Winter WonderFEST will host a press event later this spring to unveil the exciting details. Anyone who has any inquires or would like become a sponsor, should email organizers at info@festivalofcheer.org.
