Arts & Entertainment

Winthrop Winterfest Continues Today

The festival organized by the Greater Brandon Community Foundation will take place today in the field surrounding the Winthrop Pole Barn on Bloomingdale Avenue.

For Debbie Kenney and Denise Crawford of Bloomingdale, it was a chance to show off their handmade jewelry and accessories made from recycled flatware.

Sarah Maddox was on hand selling intricately the embroidered banners and runners she creates.

And Karen Hiller of Valrico took the opportunity to display her beadwork jewelry.

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Whatever the reason they came to the second annual Winthrop WinterFest, it spelled success for the festival organizers, the Greater Brandon Community Foundation .

Not only was it a chance to spread the word about what the foundation does, said Debbie Kirkland, the foundation’s administrative director, but it was an opportunity to give the community's families some affordable fun while raising funds for Brandon area charities.

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The foundation, formed to assist Brandon nonprofit groups in raising funds, recently gave away $160,000 in grants to charities using funds raised at the Winterfest, its annual golf tournament and its annual Evening of Hope.

“We are incredibly excited,” said Kirkland. “Our vendors are double from last year, our food has doubled from last year, our activities have doubled from last year and the crowd has tripled or quadrupled."

The Winterfest kicked off Friday night in Winthrop Town Centre square with the lighting of the center's Christmas tree and entertainment by the Winthrop Charter School Chorus, the Riverview High School Band and the Southern Company Chorus. The festivities were followed by two holiday outdoor movies on the lawn.

“I was going to be tickled pink with 400 people showing up, but we blew that away,” said Rich Strehl, the foundation’s executive director, at the Friday night event. “Tonight’s just a teaser for the main festivities.”

The festival continued on Saturday with vendors selling everything from handmade knitted hats to Miche handbags. The kids' play zone included bouncy houses and inflatable slides. The event also included a hayride and hourly entertainment.

Foundation members, including members of the foundation's Junior Angel Program, oversaw Santa's workshop in the Winthrop Pole Barn where children had a chance to write letters to Santa, create candy cane ornaments, have their face painted and make festive visors.

Sisters Marisa, 4, and Angelina Raimondo, 6, intently glued foam decorations on their hats while Rylee Ruiz, 5, wrote a letter to Santa, putting a scooter at the top of his list.

Residents still have a chance to participate in the fun. The Winterfest continues today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. including a lunch with Santa at The Green Iguana restaurant in Winthrop Town Centre.

 


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