Most things in Tallahassee have changed since 1987, but one tradition remains in amplified glory to ring in the holiday season. Just in time for frosty temperatures, this Saturday, Dec. 1, from 3 to 10 p.m., the Winter Festival will celebrate 26 years of providing the Capital City with one of its most endearing events. The annual holiday extravaganza includes the centerpiece event, the Celebration of Lights, transforming downtown into a sparkling winter wonderland.
The Winter Festival and Celebration of Lights are sponsored by the City of Tallahassee and are free to the public.
“Tallahassee is special throughout the entire year but even more so during the holidays,” said Mayor John Marks. “The Winter Festival and Celebration of Lights serve as the ‘official welcome’ to the holiday season. It’s also an opportunity for us to thank our citizens for being part of this wonderful community. It’s truly a family-friendly event, so I’d like to invite citizens of all ages to join us downtown this Saturday night!”
The 26th anniversary Winter Festival includes the usual crowd-pleasing elements of the lighting ceremony (6 p.m.), Jingle Bell Run (6:15 p.m.), Nighttime Holiday Parade (7:15 p.m.) and lots more. The festival also features five stages of local live entertainment, a Candy Cane Lane exhibit with special live candy making demonstrations by Lofty Pursuits, a children’s activity area, food vendors, arts and crafts merchants and holiday illumination displays. This year’s theme is “Reindeer, Trains and Candy Canes.”
As a reminder, applications for the 2012 Jingle Bell Run remain available at Talgov.com/parks.
Tallahassee on Ice Returns to Kleman Plaza!
In tandem with the Winter Festival, outdoor ice skating returns to downtown’s Kleman Plaza. Tallahassee on Ice features public skating sessions starting this Saturday, Dec. 1, from 3-10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, from 2-8 p.m. Ice skating sessions will continue, weather permitting, until Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. For a complete list of dates and times, please visit http://www.talgov.com/parks/parks-winter.aspx. An hour-long skating session, including skate rental, costs only $6.
The ice surface is actually a synthetic compound, but the look and feel is extremely close to the real thing. The rink actually has a smoother surface without the constant maintenance real ice skating surfaces do.
For more information, including times of operation and rental/party details, please call the special ice rink line during operating hours at 544-4865 or call the main office at 891-3879 during regular office hours (weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or visit Talgov.com.
Other events under the Winter Festival umbrella include:
- November 7, 2012, through January 21, 2013 – PhotoFest Juried Fine Arts Photography Exhibit, ArtPort at Tallahassee Regional Airport
- November 21, 2012, through January 7, 2013 – Youth Fine Arts Competition Exhibit, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., City Hall art gallery
- Thursday, Dec. 20 – Elf Night event at Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Rd., 5:30-9 p.m.
The Winter Festival and Celebration of Lights are coordinated by the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department (PRNA). For more information on the 2012 Winter Festival and Celebration of Lights, please visit Talgov.com or call PRNA at 891-FUNN (3866).
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