For the third year, the Wethersfield High School Student Council will hold their now annual Holly Jolly Christmas Festival. The event will coincide with the lighting of both Windmont and Northeast parks and end right as the lighted Christmas Parade makes its way down McClure Street.
Student Council members Averey Rash, Marlie Lindstrom, Sophie Nimrick and Raqi Young, WHS seniors, are all part of the effort to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever. The idea for the festival came from Student Council Adviser Tricia Lay and the senior class.
The first year for the festival was 2021, and the pandemic was hampering area festivals and activities and an outdoor holiday event seemed ideal.
“We just wanted to do something happy and festive,” said Young.
Since it began, the festival has grown, adding more activities and attractions. Past years have seen live reindeers from Whispering Pines Reindeer Ranch, Santa and Mrs. Claus, free games, coloring stations and crafts. The first year there was even a train ride for the kids, and that is being brought back, said the seniors, with the help of the WHS FFA members who are at work building the train.
“This year, we’re expanding it to the gym,” said Lindstrom.
Inside will be a bouncy house from Have a Seat Rentals, face painting, courtesy of the art club, and a station where kids can write letters to Santa. Take home crafts for just $1 will allow kids to take home an art project to do with their families.
New activities outside include prizes for answering Christmas trivia questions, mini-golf, and an obstacle course. Christmas music will play throughout the day. As in years past, the seniors will submit gingerbread houses they created and the public can vote on the best candied confection. And Santa is set to make an appearance again as well.
Of course the student council couldn’t have done it alone.
“It wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors OSF HealthCare, CSB, Farmer’s Insurance and LaGondola,” said Lindstrom.
The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3 in the Wethersfield Blish parking lot from 3 to 5 pm. Admission is $5 per person, and adults 18 and over are free with a paying child.
The money raised from the holly, jolly event goes to fund the WHS Student Council activities throughout the year, said Lay.
“The Christmas Festival is our only fundraiser for HS Student Council that we use to support annual things we do throughout the year,” said Lay, and cited examples such as providing ice cream for the entire district the first week of school and teacher and staff treats for World Kindness Day and teacher appreciation.
