Newark was ablaze with holiday excitement on December 2nd as town residents celebrated Winterfest. Young families and college co-eds dressed up in Santa Claus and reindeer gear to enjoy an evening filled with holiday music, a tree-lighting ceremony, caroling, ice carving demonstrations, roasting chestnuts, and pictures with Saint Nicholas.
Activities and entertainment are planned annually by the City of Newark and the Downtown Newark Partnership.
And for the 11th year running, the evening kicked off with a Reindeer Run and Romp 5K to benefit Special Olympics Delaware. The night warmed up quickly for the 1,500 participants who helped raise $61,000 for Special Olympics Delaware – a record for the event. Proceeds from the walk/run will benefit 4,000 Special Olympics Delaware athletes who compete year-round in 19 official sports.
“We continue to be thankful that so many people have made this part of their annual holiday tradition,” said Corinne Plummer, SODE manager of special events. “There are so many great organizations out there and we are honored that our runners and rompers choose Special Olympics as one they’ll support.”
Photos courtesy City of Newark and volunteer photographers Bob Gilley, Bob Avery, Mary Anderson
