The highly popular Winterfest celebration is coming back to Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park.
The 15th annual event, which is free to participants, will held Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, located at 309 College Ave. Parking will be in lots located off Fountain Street.
This year’s event will include free rides on a snow slide, rock walls, bounce houses, bingo and family photographs. There will be a chili cook-off, cotton candy, hot dogs, shaved ice, kettle corn and funnel cakes. Free haircuts will be provided by Chadia’s Hair Salon and a prayer tent will be set up for anyone wishing to pray for the needs of family, friends and neighbors in the community.
Live music will be provided by the church’s rock band and several school bands. Prizes, including bicycles and gift certificates, also will be given away throughout the day.
Meredith Cheshire, who is serving as chair of the event for the fourth time, said the church considers the event a gift to the community.
“Winterfest is the largest ministry we do,” said Cheshire, whose husband, Chris, serves as mayor of Fruitland Park. “It’s amazing watching all of us as a church family come together and work besides each other for a common goal. It never ceases to amaze me how hundreds of people can come together for the good of the children and their families in the community.”
Cheshire, who also serves as president of the family’s medical practice, Mulberry Integrative Medicine and Faeve Plant Therapies, and was named 2018 Business Woman of the Year by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, said she’s expecting this year’s event to be as successful as the one last year that drew between 3,000-5,000 participants.
“The beauty and grace of this event is in the details,” she said, adding that about 350 volunteers are giving their time to make Winterfest a success. “It all about the interaction of church members and the community of Fruitland Park. It’s really a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of.”