Winterfest 2016
Tallahassee Winterfest 2016
With a rainy day and night in the forecast, the city has pulled the plug on the 39th annual Tallahassee Winter Festival.
The annual event, which includes four stages of entertainment, food vendors and crafts, draws tens of thousands to the city center each year for the holiday parade and widely anticipated Jingle Bell Run, in which runners and families don blinking necklaces and Santa hats to dash through downtown.
The National Weather Service branch in Tallahassee forecast calls for a 30% – 80% chance of rain for the day and a 70% chance for the evening. “New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible” throughout the day and night with showers and patchy fog likely in the evening.
For days, the city has warned on social media that the dreaded decision might be coming. City officials made the decision at about 8 a.m. as steady rain was falling in much of the city.
“”With the high probability of rain continuing throughout today, Saturday, Dec. 6, Winter Festival is sadly canceled,” the city wrote on social media. “While a difficult decision, as this spirited event is a cherished tradition for many, the safety of our community, event participants and staff is paramount.”
Rain can pose a challenge with the parade floats, many of which include crafts and elaborate electrical displays to delight crowds linking the streets with twinkling lights.
As news of the cancellation travelled social media, many were disappointed and asked why the event could not be postponed to a later date. A city spokesperson did not respond to a Tallahassee Democrat question on the matter, but because of the logistics, a jam-packed holiday schedule and traveling vendors, it can be difficult to reschedule the event.
The last time WinterFest was canceled was in 2023 due to thunderstorms that failed to materialize in force. It was also cancelled in 2018.
What the city said about the cancellation
“With the high probability of rain continuing throughout today, Saturday, Dec. 6, Winter Festival is sadly canceled. While a difficult decision, as this spirited event is a cherished tradition for many, the safety of our community, event participants and staff is paramount.”
“The cancellation includes the Jingle Bell Run, Nighttime Holiday Parade, lighting ceremony and live entertainment.”
“Weather permitting, Candy Cane Lane will be open in McCarty Park from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8-11, 6-11 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 14 for visitors to enjoy. McCarty Park is located within the Chain of Parks along Park Avenue downtown.”
“While Winter Festival will not occur this year, the City of Tallahassee has planned numerous free festive events to take place throughout December, including Holiday Stroll, Santa Calling, Elf Night and Soul Santa. The spectacular light display in Dorothy B. Oven Park is open and shining bright each night through Jan. 1.
Holiday events coming to Cascades with Elf Night and Soul Santa on deck
On Saturday, Dec. 13, you can sing and dance to merry melodies as they fill the air of Cascades Park, 1001 S. Gadsden St., from 6-7:30 p.m. at the annual Holiday Stroll.
About a dozen different acts will showcase their talents throughout the winding trails of Cascades Park. The musical stylings include carolers, choruses, instrumentalists and more. There will also be hot cocoa as supplies last.
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a whole host of elves will make an appearance at Dorothy B. Oven Park’s annual Elf Night on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5:30-8 p.m. Over 150,000 lights will twinkle against the night sky, transforming the park into a winter wonderland fit for Santa and all his arctic friends. Visitors are invited to take a stroll around the decorated grounds and let Santa know all the items on their holiday wish list.
Then on Saturday, Dec. 20, Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus make spirits bright with free gifts for Tallahassee children. Events take placeat the Walker-Ford Community Center from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the LeVerne Payne Community Center from2:30-6 p.m. Soul Santa is for children up to age 10. Registration is required to participate at Talgov.com.
For more holiday events check out the Tallahassee Democrat’s Holiday Hit List online.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.tallahassee.com ’
