There's no better reminder that it's Christmas than the feeling of Jack Frost nipping at your nose! An old Christmas tradition, riding in the open air is a great way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Winterfest. Snuggle up to your sweetie or hold your little ones close as you experience the performance tour in our open tram. Bundle up, and be sure to take one of our soft red blankets. Elves will be on hand to pass out hot chocolate to help you stay nice and warm. Feel the brisk Christmas chill as you marvel at our talented performers sharing their holiday spirit!
Candy Cane’s inaugural voyage was Friday, November 27th. Quint Studer and his family were our first travelers.
It's hard to believe Winterfest hasn't always had two beautifully restored trolleys. A "green trolley" joined Winterfest in 2007 on loan
from a company in Mississippi. When it became available for purchase this year, we decided to add a companion to the original trolley, Snowflake. Through the summer of 2009, a gradual transformation took place. Green became red, and the entire trolley was meticulously rejuvenated, with every bench plank lovingly hand-sanded. Now Candy Cane joins the ranks of Winterfest, ready to transport happy visitors on their holiday journey. Thanks to our many volunteers who spent over one thousand hours working to make the new trolley sparkle and shine.
The Winterfest performance tour can be so exciting, it's easy to understand why our holiday passengers are overwhelmed by all they've seen and heard. But one of the most important parts of Winterfest happens after you exit the vehicle: the voting. Ballots are handed out at the end of each tour with the stops listed, and we ask that each of you take a moment to let us know what your favorites were. This is an important step in planning for future Winterfest events, since we love to bring back your favorite characters, and we want to know how you've enjoyed our new features as well. Please let us know what you think, and be sure to turn your ballots in at the Courthouse.
See you at Winterfest!
We had a tremendous Opening Night with sold out trolleys and great crowds for Rudolph's Revue and the Gulf Breeze Holiday Singers! Hundreds of happy celebrants from as far away as Texas came to share the cheer in downtown Pensacola.
The best news is we're just getting started: Performance Tours, Rudolph's Holiday Stroll, and Carriage Rides return December 5, 11, and 18-20. Reserve your seats now because even trolleys for the 20th are starting to fill up.
On this Thanksgiving holiday, the elves of Winterfest would like to salute all those who make our holiday extravaganza possible. Winterfest has the help of hundreds of volunteers every year, along with the much-needed support of the Escambia County Commission and our sponsors.
There are many things to be thankful for, such as another red trolley, a beautiful home at the old County Courthouse, and an all-new summer tour series. Not only that, but we've won a few things as well, like a legal judgement, and a grant from Google to help us promote our programs online.
We'd also like to thank all of you who enjoy Winterfest, whether you're a volunteer or a first-time visitor. It's you that helps keep Winterfest thriving.
Dressed in his suspenders and a Santa hat, Blake may appear to be an ordinary trolley driver, but behind the wheel of the first red trolley (nicknamed Snowflake) he's like a maverick pilot navigating his aircraft through the sky. Not only do their names rhyme, but Blake and Snowflake have another thing in common. They have been able to return to their former careers. Snowflake was called Wahoo while driven on Pensacola Beach until she was retired by ECAT in 2004. Now reincarnated, she is driven by Blake again, filled with happy riders at Winterfest. Blake was a Navy pilot who landed on the Lexington 376 times. Now he's flying in air shows across the country in the same model plane, a C1-A. Not many people can make that claim, and Winterfest is proud to have such a wonderful driver on this unique trolley.
No one is full of more holiday cheer than Santa's elves, but even they would have a blue Christmas without the king! They couldn't wait to get to Winterfest so they could see Elvis and hear him serenade the people of Pensacola. In fact, they were so excited, as soon as they saw Elvis they all but swooned. Guess Elvis has that effect on everyone!
You may think Santa isn't up-to-date with the latest technology, being far away at the North Pole, but he is a whiz with his cell phone! Now Santa can text all the good boys and girls to spread some Christmas cheer.
Parents, if you want to receive a message from Santa to your kids and $5 off a picture with Santa, text 'SANTA' to 45203. Must be 18 years or older.
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he is bringing many of his helpers from the North Pole with him! Sometimes the line to visit Santa can be daunting, since he is such a popular guy, but Santa has brought a special friend along to entertain you while you wait.
Santa’s friend is a magic toymaker elf, a guy who loves to have fun and develop new toys for children to enjoy. Santa’s helpers work ‘round the clock all year to make new toys and old favorites for him to bring to good boys and girls, and the magic toymaker elf is no exception. “We have to stockpile all year long to be ready for the big day,” he said.
The magic elf has been making toys for Santa for 7,322 years, but he says he is just getting started. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for us at Winterfest, but whatever it is, it’s sure to be fun!
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