WinterFest fun back again

Lacking holiday cheer this season? The Thornton WinterFest is the place to be to warm the heart with not only a hot cocoa, but also with music, smiles on children’s faces when they visit with Santa Claus and even this year’s first ever 5K WinterFest run/walk. “The 5K race has always been our wish list,” Thornton Recreation Manager Jan Kiehl said. “We’ve always asked for it, and finally it was in the budget. It’ll all be self-contained to Carpenter Park, 11151 Colorado Blvd. on Saturday starting at 9 a.m.” Registrations are only now offered the day of the race at 7:30 a.m. near the start line of the race, and the fee is $35 for 17-and-under, $40 18-59 and $35 65 and up. In addition to entry in the race, participants will get post-race food and drink, a voucher for a picture with Santa and a commemorative long-sleeve tech shirt. Parking is available in the parking lot at Carpenter Recreation Center and the Tennis Court lots at 112th and Madison Street. People are also invited to park on the south side of Carpenter Park (108th and Colorado Boulevard) if planning to attend Winter Fest after the race. The race is a time-chipped race and results will be posted online at . First through third place awards are given to male and female runners in eight age groups. Additionally, overall fastest male and female runners receive special awards. Award winners must be present at ceremony following the race. Santa and his elves will arrive in the heart of Santa’s Village at the Carpenter Park Fields, where they will assist the Mayor and City Council in turning on the Village holiday lights starting at 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday. Kiehl said this annual event covers nearly five acres with 460 holiday trees, 125,000 lights and a skating pond, four fire pits, ice sculpting and eight custom-built holiday buildings to provide a unique and fun experience for the family to kick off the holiday season. The 5K Winter Fest Run/Walk will open the day’s festivities on Saturday at 9 a.m. The miniature villages will open at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Entertainment Tents during the day will be transformed into a free craft shop for the kids, and a Holiday Marketplace to shop for holiday gifts. The skies will light up Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks. Sunday closes the Winter Fest weekend with more holiday fun for the kids with carnival games provided by volunteers from the Village Baptist Church, 5-7 p.m. This activity is free. Other events on Sunday include a concert by the Thornton Community Chorus is at 6:30 p.m. in the Winter Fest Event Tent. A photographer will be on-site with Santa and selling 4 X 6 photos that come with a personalized frame with a cost of $3 each. People are also able to bring their own cameras for pictures. Visits with Santa are Friday: 6:45-9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 2-5 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. and Sunday: 5-8:30 p.m. North Pole Nibbles will provide a variety of food and drinks for all those hungry. “There will be more than 13 vendors on site during the entire time of the event,” Kael said. “There will be hot chocolate, snacks as well as a wide variety of full meals to purchase. A heated tent will also have a beer garden.” Ice Skating will be available on a 4000 square-foot custom made pond for a rental fee of $2 for children & seniors (12 & under and 60 & over) and $3 for adults for skates. This year “Frozen” will be the main theme to the ice sculptures at the event. Weekend performance schedule is as follows: Friday Event Tent: 6:45 p.m.- Eagle view Elementary School Choir, 7 p.m.- Karen Armstrong, vocal soloist, 7:30- Century Middle School Jazz Band #1, 8 p.m. Century Middle School Jazz Band #2. Saturday Outdoor Stage: 10 a.m. SON shine Music & Art Academy Vocal Choir, 11 a.m.- St. John’s Lutheran Church Handbill Choir, Noon- City of Thornton Dance Performance, 1:30, 1:45 & 2 p.m.- Yuletide Carolers, 2:30 p.m. City of Thornton Preschool Singers, 6:30 p.m.- Tree Decorating Contest Presentation. Saturday Event Tent: 7 p.m.- Thornton Community Band- $2 for reserved seating (all other available seats are free). Sunday Event Tent: 5:30 p.m.- Thornton Community Chorus, 6:45 p.m.- Sisters, vocal quartet, 7:30 p.m.- Roaring Sensations, youth choir from Fredrick/Longmont area. North Pole Puppet Theater-“Sing-a-long with the Puppets” are also scheduled for the weekend on Friday, 7:45-815 p.m, Saturday, Noon, 3:30 and 6 p.m., Sunday 6:30. She said since the parks department does the bulk of the WinterFest event, that from the recreation center perspective it’s one of the most fun events of the year. “We bring in entertainment, the craft fair and various choirs,” she said. “But this is a pretty special event, even after working it for 12 years now. If you have kids you’re missing it if you don’t bring them to this event.” Kiehl would like to extend a special thank you to all the Sponsors of this year’s WinterFest Go to www.cityofthornton.net for a complete schedule of events, list of sponsors, or for more information.