Delaware News

Winter WonderFEST Returns to Lewes for Third Year

Delaware Tourism Office | Department of State | Small Business | Date Posted: Friday, November 16, 2018



LEWES – Winter WonderFEST returns to Lewes for its third year starting this Friday.

The Delaware Tourism Office (Visit Delaware) joined Festival of Cheer, the organizer of Winter WonderFEST, along with Sen. Ernie Lopez and Rep. Steve Smyk, on Wednesday at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal to kick off the event and highlight the power of partnerships working to grow southern Delaware as a year-round destination for out-of-state visitors.

“Tourism plays a valuable role in Delaware, contributing $3.3 billion annually to the state’s economy,” said Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “Events like Winter WonderFEST and next month’s Slam Dunk to the Beach offer even more reasons for people to explore the endless discoveries in the state’s beach region long after summer has ended.”

“Winter WonderFEST not only brings wintery cheer to the region but also drove 60,000 attendees from 31 states to the Delaware Beaches during the off-season in 2017,” said Liz Keller, Delaware Tourism Director. “That is so important to the area’s many hotels, restaurants and shops. It is a testament to the significance of partnerships between organizations that see value in driving visitation at this time of year.”

Festival of Cheer Wednesday also unveiled exciting new additions to the 2018 Winter WonderFEST, including new events, a larger Visit Delaware ice rink, new light displays and an expanded Christmas Village.

The Visit Delaware ice rink is about 2,000 square feet larger than it was in 2017, allowing more skaters to enjoy the beauty of this outdoor venue with the picture perfect setting of the ferry terminal and bay as a backdrop. The ice rink is a centerpiece of the six-week Winter WonderFEST celebration that takes place at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal and Cape Henlopen State Park from November 17 to December 31, 2018.

“We have worked with our partners to make the third year of Winter WonderFEST the best one yet,” said John Snow, president of Festival of Cheer. “We’ve grown the ice rink, light display and Christmas Village. We’re confident that will also lead to growth in attendance, meaning we will raise even more money for Sussex County charities.”

The Visit Delaware ice rink is open Tuesday through Sunday except for Thanksgiving and Christmas (times vary). Admission on weekends is $10 for adults or $8 for children. Weekday admission is $6 for adults and children. The price includes skate rental. For more information on public skating session times and skating lessons, visit www.wonderfestde.org.

The Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway in Dover, Del., part of the Delaware Division of Small Business, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware. For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free (866) 284-7483.

Festival of Cheer, a non-profit producing organization for Winter WonderFEST, was formed by community leaders with the mission to enrich lives by creating cultural events and health-related activities throughout the Cape region, and to increase philanthropic support of organizations supporting those residing in, and visiting, Sussex County, Delaware.

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Media Contact:
Michael Chesney
Communications Director
Michael.Chesney@delaware.gov
(302) 943-9508 (cell)
(302) 577-8472 (office)

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Winter WonderFEST Returns to Lewes for Third Year

Delaware Tourism Office | Department of State | Small Business | Date Posted: Friday, November 16, 2018



LEWES – Winter WonderFEST returns to Lewes for its third year starting this Friday.

The Delaware Tourism Office (Visit Delaware) joined Festival of Cheer, the organizer of Winter WonderFEST, along with Sen. Ernie Lopez and Rep. Steve Smyk, on Wednesday at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal to kick off the event and highlight the power of partnerships working to grow southern Delaware as a year-round destination for out-of-state visitors.

“Tourism plays a valuable role in Delaware, contributing $3.3 billion annually to the state’s economy,” said Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “Events like Winter WonderFEST and next month’s Slam Dunk to the Beach offer even more reasons for people to explore the endless discoveries in the state’s beach region long after summer has ended.”

“Winter WonderFEST not only brings wintery cheer to the region but also drove 60,000 attendees from 31 states to the Delaware Beaches during the off-season in 2017,” said Liz Keller, Delaware Tourism Director. “That is so important to the area’s many hotels, restaurants and shops. It is a testament to the significance of partnerships between organizations that see value in driving visitation at this time of year.”

Festival of Cheer Wednesday also unveiled exciting new additions to the 2018 Winter WonderFEST, including new events, a larger Visit Delaware ice rink, new light displays and an expanded Christmas Village.

The Visit Delaware ice rink is about 2,000 square feet larger than it was in 2017, allowing more skaters to enjoy the beauty of this outdoor venue with the picture perfect setting of the ferry terminal and bay as a backdrop. The ice rink is a centerpiece of the six-week Winter WonderFEST celebration that takes place at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal and Cape Henlopen State Park from November 17 to December 31, 2018.

“We have worked with our partners to make the third year of Winter WonderFEST the best one yet,” said John Snow, president of Festival of Cheer. “We’ve grown the ice rink, light display and Christmas Village. We’re confident that will also lead to growth in attendance, meaning we will raise even more money for Sussex County charities.”

The Visit Delaware ice rink is open Tuesday through Sunday except for Thanksgiving and Christmas (times vary). Admission on weekends is $10 for adults or $8 for children. Weekday admission is $6 for adults and children. The price includes skate rental. For more information on public skating session times and skating lessons, visit www.wonderfestde.org.

The Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway in Dover, Del., part of the Delaware Division of Small Business, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware. For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free (866) 284-7483.

Festival of Cheer, a non-profit producing organization for Winter WonderFEST, was formed by community leaders with the mission to enrich lives by creating cultural events and health-related activities throughout the Cape region, and to increase philanthropic support of organizations supporting those residing in, and visiting, Sussex County, Delaware.

###

Media Contact:
Michael Chesney
Communications Director
Michael.Chesney@delaware.gov
(302) 943-9508 (cell)
(302) 577-8472 (office)

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.