Vernon 'Reimagines' Winterfest Celebration For 2020

VERNON, CT — The traditional Vernon Winterfest celebration is being replaced in 2020 with a special event at Henry Park featuring light displays, fire engines and other attractions to allow residents to "safely enjoy and celebrate the holiday season."

Town officials deemed an in-person gathering too risky amid the current coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s "reimagined" Winterfest is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, at Henry Park. The annual event usually draws hundreds of people to downtown Vernon, and culminates in a tree lighting ceremony and the illumination of a snowflake on Fox Hill Tower in Henry Park.

"People look forward to Winterfest each year and making sure this fun and happy event occurs is all the more important this year," Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "I am pleased we are able to safely provide this special event for our community."

With the shift to Henry Park, Winterfest will become what Parks and Recreation Director Marty Sitler is calling a "reverse-parade" in which residents can drive through Henry Park and, from their vehicles, view light displays and other attractions. It will be similar to the Trunk-or-Treat program Sitler' department organized for Halloween at Henry Park.

"The whole purpose of a community event is to bring people together, but we can't do that in the traditional sense this year due to the pandemic," Sitler said. "Instead, we've come up with a new and creative way to celebrate Winterfest. People will be able to enjoy the event from the safety of their cars as they drive through."

Vernon firefighters will be decorating their trucks, a tradition of Winterfest.

Those attending the event will enter Henry Park on South Street and then follow a route through the attractions.

Sitler said Winterfest has been set up so that every attraction will be ongoing, so families don’t
need to worry about missing anything. To ensure everyone's safety, people must stay in their vehicles, he added.

Community organizations or businesses that would like to decorate a booth and participate in Winterfest are encouraged to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at parksandrec@vernon-ct.gov.