The Festus WinterFest will return this Saturday, Dec. 3, to Festus Main Street, offering lots of free or low-cost family friendly activities.
One popular event, however, will not be included. The portable ice skating rink that was part of the event in previous years will not be set up this time.
Nevertheless, the festival will offer plenty of winter fun, said Barb Lowry, the Festus recreation and tourism director.
“It (the festival) is becoming a tradition,” Lowry said. “It’s a good time. The crowds just keep getting bigger each year. I’d estimate between 2,500 and 3,000 come to it.”
The WinterFest, sponsored by the Festus Tourism Commission, will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run into the evening, ending at about 6 p.m.
The festivities kick off with a visit from Santa Claus.
“We’ll start out with Breakfast with Santa at First United Methodist Church (113 Grand Avenue),” Lowry said. “There’s no set cost; they ask for a free-will offering.”
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. activities will be held inside the Festus Public Library, 400 W. Main St.
“It will have a Christmas Decor Table Sale,” she said. “The Grinch will be there. They have a holiday ornament take-home craft. It’s also where you go to vote on your favorite decorated holiday cookie. It’s a contest. They can turn their cookies in during regular business hours of the library. The public does the voting.”
She said the cookie-decorating contest is for all ages, with categories for those 13 and younger, 14-17 and 18 and older. The winner in each category receives a $50 prize. Winners will be announced Dec. 5.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., face painters, balloon twisters and craft vendors will be on hand along Main Street. The face painters and balloon twisters will perform their tasks for free.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be food trucks, a trackless train, a petting zoo, pony rides, a game area and inflatable obstacle courses and a bounce house.
“The obstacle course and the bounce house are free,” Lowry said. “The trackless train is free. It’s a train with a driver that people can ride in for free.
“It’s free to go to the petting zoo, with a charge to feed the animals. There is a fee for the pony rides.”
Interspersed among the other activities will be street performances and photo opportunities with characters.
“From noon to 1 pm., there will be the Hula Hooping Sugar Plum Fairy,” Lowry said. “It’s a character walking around doing hula hoop tricks. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tappy the Penguin will walk around for photo ops. From 3-4 p.m., there will be photo ops with a Snowman character. From 4:30-5:30 p.m., we’ll have a fire performer at a site to be determined.”
The WinterFest also marks the seasonal debut of Santa in the Santa House in Schneider Park at Mill and Main streets. Santa will see youngsters that day from noon to 6 p.m., offering parents the opportunity to take their own photos.
After WinterFest, the Santa House will be open 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays from Dec. 6 through Dec. 22.
“Santa House has been very popular,” Lowry said. “You see so many families come. We ask that people bring a nonperishable item to donate for the Ozark Food Pantry. Any cash donations go to Jefferson County Shop with a Cop.”
For more information, contact Lowry at 636-937-4694, ext. 313, or visit cityoffestus.org.