Get ready to deck the halls and fa-la-la because Winterfest is returning to Historic Smithville Park.
The festival celebrating all things winter will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 7 p.m. on the grounds of Smithville Park, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland of fun and holiday magic.
Visitors to the Victorian village and mansion will enjoy the holiday finery and the sounds of carolers dressed in Victorian attire performing favorite turns, along with other free activities both indoors and outdoors throughout the park.
Some of the featured activities and entertainment include:
- See Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas from Charles Dickens’ holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” brought to life by The Pirates of Fortune’s Folly;
- Help Buddy the Elf find his friends in the Smithville Mansion maze so they can get back to the North Pole in time for the holidays;
- Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Elsa and Olaf from Frozen and complete a winter craft;
- Take a ride on a trackless train around the historic Smithville village;
- Watch ice sculptures being carved and a Blacksmith at work;
- Take a family photo or selfie in front of the giant snow globe;
- Lace up a pair of skates and take a lap around the synthetic ice-skating rink;
- Create a winter craft or find a special gift in the Holiday Marketplace;
- Grab a bit to eat from a food truck or warm up with some hot chocolate and s’mores by the fire.
There will also be a beer, wine and mulled cider tent and musical performances from the Navasink Brass Band, School of Rock-Cherry Hill, Jersey Sound Chorus, Pine Barons Chorus and Cinnaminson School Choir.
Tours of Smithville Mansion and the village will also be held during the day, and both the Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery and Workers House Gallery will be open.
The Mansion Annex Gallery has an exhibit of both vintage and modern quilts showcasing the artform. On display in the Workers House Gallery is an exhibit of fashion photos and drawings from the 1960s.
In addition to Winterfest, both galleries are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
