Better bundle up! On Friday, December 3, the forecast calls for tons of snow in the Upper Keys. But this isn’t the first time an arctic blast has blanketed the “Village of Islands.” For the last sixteen years, Holiday Fest has blown into Islamorada with a seasonal celebration that rivals the North Pole’s.
Scheduled for 4 – 10pm at Founders Park, the event’s star attraction, Snow Mountain, is made out of 30 tons of the cold white stuff — more than enough to delight mitten-clad children and some of their more playful parents too. Meanwhile, throughout the evening, the Festival’s official 35-foot holiday tree will be blowing magical snow through its branches.
But snow isn’t the only big attraction. At 5 pm, costumed children who are 8 years old or younger get to compete in the Mister Gingerbread Man and Miss Sugarplum Fairy contest where they will meet with Mrs Claus and tell her their holiday wish.
A merry Holiday Parade kicks off at 7:30pm with floats, bands, antique cars and, of course, Santa himself. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love & Gratitude at Latitude 25.”
In addition to the parade, there will be visits and photos with Santa, live holiday stage performances, delicious food and beverages, scrumptious desserts at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe and a Gingerbread House Contest and Auction. One of Holiday Fest’s most anticipated attractions is the fabulous Holiday Gift Bazaar which features all kinds of unique gifts as well as a silent auction of original handcrafted, one-of-a-kind ornaments created by 50 local artists. A portion of the proceeds from the auction benefits the local arts community. You can find Founders Park at Mile Marker 87, Bayside. For more info, contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503 or visit them at islamoradachamber.com.
Happy Holidays!
