Despite moving indoors this past Saturday, the Chelsea Winter Fest maintained its festive spirit throughout the day.
“As much as I would have loved to be out in the cold and the snow, celebrating our community in the warmth of the Mary C. Burke Complex cafetorium was certainly the way to go,” noted City Manager Jay Ash, who oversaw the coordination of the Chelsea Winter Fest this past Saturday.
City Councillor Leo Robinson, among the many volunteers facilitating the event, remarked that “It was much warmer and still as festive,”. The volunteers helped more than 400 attendees participate in games, entertainment, raffles, treats and holiday celebrations.
Originally planned for Washington Park in Prattville, the third annual Winter Fest had been relocated to the Burke Complex field in its second year. This year’s return to Washington Park—now decorated with lights including a new pergola—was derailed by forecasted low 20s temperatures and incoming snow. Ash made the decision to move the festivities indoors.
Ash credited the quick transition to Superintendent Mary Bourque and her staff. “Big thanks to Superintendent Mary Bourque and her terrific staff for helping us to move everything indoors in what was a wild 48 hours,” he said. “We cancelled some stuff, added others, and started decorating Saturday morning, all in advance of welcoming a great crowd for a fun time.”
As snow blanketed Washington Park, attendees without jackets warmed up with hot chocolate from the Salvation Army and Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts on Everett Avenue. Children engaged in activities such as Frosty Toss and Bowling Over Santa. The Off Broadway dancers and Chelsea High School Tri-M honor society students performed for families, while photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman and the Grinch drew crowds. The toy drive and arts and crafts stations run by the Chelsea Collaborative and Chelsea Girls Scouts remained busy throughout the event.
Raffles were another major draw of the day.
“Yes, we gave away a lot of great prizes, thanks to our great community supporters,” explained Ash.
Donations of sports tickets, gift certificates, toys and other raffle prizes came from State Garden, One North of Boston, Market Basket, Chief Brian and Today’s Auto Body Kevin Kyes, Blue Man Group, Kiwanis, Representatives Eugene O’Flaherty and Kathi-Anne Reinstein, Senator Sal DiDomenico, McDonald’s, Docksides, Burger King, Fusion Foods, the Gold Mine, Tedischi’s in Cary Square, the City Café, Plaza Mexico, Madelyn Garcia Real Estate, the Residence Inn, Bella Island, Mystic Brewery, Sabor Especial and Chelsea’s newest business, King of Wings in Cary Square.
Departing guests received complimentary sweets from Muffin Town to take home.
Looking ahead, Ash is already planning ways to enhance the event for next year.