Holiday Cheer under Construction in Downtown Clearwater
The construction of the 31st annual Winter Wonderland began on November 2nd with forklifts and trucks bringing in the playground, the houses and the stage that will transform the Osceola Courtyard into a traditional holiday village. Members of the Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV) will be busily at work for the next four weeks to ready the site for the grand opening.
The gates to Winter Wonderland will open at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 1st with a light-up ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Running through to Monday, December 23rd, hundreds of volunteers will eventually help construct, decorate and facilitate the event.
Please note that Winter Wonderland is not open Mondays or Tuesdays, except on Monday, December 23rd. Regular hours are 6 – 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
“It has been a difficult last few months here for everyone,” said Pam Ryan-Anderson, the Executive Director of the Clearwater Community Volunteers and Winter Wonderland. “We want to provide an overwhelming sense of holiday cheer, to get families throughout our area to experience all of the good this season can bring.”
“The true spirit of the holidays is family and giving,” added Ms. Ryan-Anderson. “People see that at Winter Wonderland. But in addition to creating life-long memories, Winter Wonderland collects food and toys for families in need. Through Winter Wonderland, we can provide an experience that everyone can enjoy, while also providing the holidays for families in need.”
Ryan-Anderson credits her hard-core team of volunteers who spend their evenings and weekends creating the Wonderland and then man the various attractions to ensure that all guests have a magical experience.
Winter Wonderland activities include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, snow, entertainment, a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, train rides, a kiddie carousel and a playground. This year, a magical princess carriage has been added for memorable family photos.
“The Church of Scientology has hosted Winter Wonderland for the past 31 years,” said Lisa Mansell from the Public Affairs Department of the Church. “Every year, the CCV makes this event better and better and we are excited to see how this year’s event will raise the bar that much higher.”
Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to donate non-perishable food and new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to families of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League before Christmas. Over the past 30 years, Winter Wonderland has welcomed more than a quarter of a million visitors and collected tons of food and toys.
The event takes place on the NE corner of Drew St and Fort Harrison and there is plenty of free parking.
CCV welcomes volunteers of all faiths to participate in Winter Wonderland. If you would like to volunteer for Winter Wonderland, please go to https://clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org/volunteer.
About the Clearwater Community Volunteers:
The Clearwater Community Volunteers was established in 1994 by parishioners of the Church of Scientology who wanted to put on events and help children and families in need within our community. CCV has since expanded over the years to welcome volunteers from all over Tampa Bay, and from all faiths, who share their purpose.
Winter Wonderland
201 N Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33755
Website: clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org/winter-wonderland
Facebook: www.facebook.com/winterwonderlandclearwater
727-442-2099
Feature photo courtesy of Winter Wonderland
Related articles:
30th Anniversary of Winter Wonderland
12 Days of Christmas Clearwater
What does Cleveland and snow have to do with Clearwater?
Leave a Reply