Kringlefest A Jolly Good Time
WINONA LAKE — Numerous area families visited Winona Lake yesterday, Saturday, Dec. 5, to celebrate the season with the Winona Lake Parks Department at the annual “Kringlefest” celebration.
Taking a break from the seasonal duties of decorating Christmas trees, making shopping lists and wrapping gifts, parents and children alike were welcomed to the Winona Lake Senior Center for numerous activities and even a chance to meet a live reindeer and Santa himself.
The event, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., welcomed all to partake in free and inexpensive crafts, a train ride around the Winona Lake park area and a chance to pet a live reindeer from North Manchester based Animal-Grams. Mistletoe the miniature horse and Candy Cane the reindeer grazed the snow free turf outside of the senior center greeting eager, tiny hands happily.
Inside, families enjoyed a photo booth area with props, complimentary cookies and warm drinks, crafts and more. Girls and boys, and even a few toddlers and newborns, waited patiently in line to meet Santa Claus and share their seasonal wish lists. Parents were able to capture the moment on cameras before returning to the celebration.
A holiday shop where children of all ages can shop “in secret” to purchase a gift or wrap gifts for loved ones was offered with each ticket/gift costing $1.
This is the third year the event has taken place and the first year it has been held at the Senior Center.
“(The reason we do this is) to provide a free/inexpensive holiday event for members of the community while spreading Christmas joy and holiday cheer,” stated Parks and Recreation Director Holly Hummitch prior to the event. “And because the smile on a child’s face makes everything I do totally worth it.”
Though many of the activities were free, donations were warmly accepted by Parks Department staff and volunteers. Hummitch notes all donations received will go to the Winona Lake Limitless Park Fund.