Trumansburg ready to delight with WinterFest 2022

WinterFest is quickly approaching, and a dedicated committee of volunteers, along with the helping hands of many local merchants, is ready to spread the season’s magic.

The festivities will kick off at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 with a town crier on West Main Street.

Among the events on the schedule are Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy; free horse-and-carriage rides; a traveling magic act from Magic by Mike and Melissa; costumed street performances by the Encore Players and complimentary sweet and savory tastings from various merchants.

“There will be fun activities, free face painting and fundraising sales from various high school clubs, the school PTO, other not-for-profits and two Girls Scout troops,” said Cynthia Mannino, WinterFest coordinator. “The Dairy Princess will join us with fun games and free giveaway items.”

The Rotary Club will serve soup made with vegetables from local CSAs (community supported agriculture), and live music for the event will be provided by Winter Wonderband and Marc Devokaitis & Friends.

WinterFest attendees can also enjoy an interactive community art project commemorating Trumansburg Village’s 150th anniversary. Angie Nicholson, a former Lansing School District art teacher, is in charge of the community art project.

For those seeking specially crafted gifts, the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, a WinterFest advertising partner, is hosting its Handmade Holiday Market from 1 to 6 p.m. The market will feature crafts and artwork from local artisans.

Santa Claus will also be in attendance at WinterFest, arriving by fire truck with Mrs. Claus at 5 p.m., just in time for the tree lighting and Jingle Bells sing-along. Children will have the opportunity to visit Santa in the decorated Children’s Village.

Even as the festivities come to a close, families can continue to enjoy a relaxing evening in the village.

“At 6 p.m., the event closes and the street opens and families are encouraged to go to the library for story time, free hot cocoa and a craft,” Mannino said. “Others can walk around the village and enjoy the lights or go to dinner at one of the great local restaurants.”

Mannino said that WinterFest is the perfect way for Trumansburg residents to get together and enjoy the season while supporting local businesses.

“The community really appreciates WinterFest because our purpose is to bring the community together to celebrate the spirit of T-burg, draw people to local businesses and to keep the event as free as possible,” Mannino said. “Last year, it was wonderful to see people freely strolling in the street, listening to music, seeing neighbors and friends and enjoying free tastings. Some kids were on bikes; some babies were in strollers. It had a nice, magical and friendly vibe.”

WinterFest planning begins early in the year, with Mannino applying for grants in February and securing talent and booking activities in June. Then, there’s the matter of obtaining permits from the Village Office and the Trumansburg Fire Department to close the streets for the event.

Mannino, along with fellow committee members Jen Demarest, Marlaine Darfler and Erin Good, convene to continue planning for the festival, communicating and coordinating with local merchants.

Meeting new people, like Erin Good, a newcomer to the committee with a fun holiday spirit, is Mannino’s favorite part of the planning.

“Erin moved here with her family last November,” Mannino said. “She jumped in and helped right away last year. This year, Erin is on our committee. Erin has her own green wig and elf costumes!”

Mannino believes Trumansburg’s sense of community shines brightly during the holiday season. It’s the small gestures of everyone that quickly add up.

“Merchants and local businesses reach out to help, whether it is in getting a truck for the tree delivery or the bank offering access to free electrical usage to Rotary to keep the soup warm, Ron Don’s offering free hot dogs, Elmore’s Enterprises running an extension cord from their office for a Girl Scout to have a fancy hot chocolate bar, or Jessie Gardner of Little Venice telling me she wants to be a WinterFest sponsor before I even ask!” Mannino said.

Mannino describes WinterFest as a beloved community event, and she is thrilled to keep it accessible. She recalled a recent moment that reminded her of how much it means to people that the event is free to attend.

“It is very good to coordinate the festival because I see it as a gift to everyone in the community since this event is as free as possible and accessible to all,” she said. “While I was fastening garlands to the bridge this weekend, a young woman stopped to tell me that she appreciates WinterFest because she is able to attend with her child since WinterFest is free.”

WinterFest will be held Dec. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. on West Main Street in Trumansburg. Questions can be sent to tburgwinterfest21@gmail.com. Visit facebook.com/TburgWinterFest/ for more information, and view our coverage of last year’s WinterFest at tinyurl.com/2p74xja5.

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.