Winter Wonderland
There are few things in a kid's life that trump ponies, face-painting and snow.
Except maybe a visit with Santa Claus.
Kids can experience all of that and more at Henderson's Winterfest, an event full of free holiday activities for the whole family.
Winterfest gets an early start today at 7 p.m. with a performance by the Henderson Symphony Orchestra. It will present the "Sounds of the Season" concert at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St.
Friday, Henderson Mayor James Gibson will officially start the celebration with a tree-lighting ceremony at the Henderson Events Plaza at 6 p.m., but kids will have the chance to visit with Santa from 5 to 8 p.m.
From 6:30 to 9 p.m., kids can ride ponies, ice skate, visit the petting zoo or play in the snow area with man-made snow. There will be entertainment on the main stage of the plaza, and gingerbread houses will be on display in the lobby of the convention center.
The event has been popular since its inception in 2002, says Annette Mullins, cultural supervisor for Henderson's cultural arts and tourism department. About 9,000 people are expected to attend this year.
"It's a great activity for families to go out and be together at no cost for the holidays," Mullins says.
Winterfest costs the city less than $8,000 to produce, she adds.
The Winterfest parade marches through downtown Henderson Saturday at 10 a.m. with Marines serving as grand marshals. The parade will proceed down Water Street from Ocean Avenue to Pacific Avenue.
Following at 11 a.m., 65 craft booths will sell their wares while Santa visits again. The pony rides, petting zoo and ice skating also continue.
Live entertainment will go on throughout the day in the plaza and at Water Street District, Mullins says. Food will be available for sale, too.
Theatre in the Valley will wrap up the winter festival with two performances of "A Christmas Carol" starting at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday on the events plaza stage.
For more information, call 267-2171 or visit the Winterfest Web site at hendersonlive.com.
Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.
PREVIEW WHAT: WinterFest WHERE: Downtown Henderson, 200 S. Water St. WHEN: Thursday-Saturday COST: Free HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY: Henderson Symphony Orchestra performs “Sounds of the Season” at 7 p.m. at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St. FRIDAY: Santa visits from 5 to 8 p.m.; tree-lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m.; and live entertainment on the plaza stage until 9 p.m. Ice skating, pony rides, petting zoo and a snow play area will be offered from 6:30 to 9 p.m. All at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. SATURDAY: At 200 South Water St. WinterFest parade, 10 a.m.; Santa visits from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; craft show, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; ice skating, pony rides, petting zoo and snow play area, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Theatre in the Valley presents “A Christmas Carol” at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on the events plaza stage. All at the Henderson Events Plaza.
