Winterfest is underway, downtown and online

Aberdeen’s Winterfest is undergoing some healthy changes this year in light of the pandemic.

By Kat Bryant The Daily World • November 20, 2020 3:30 am
Eighty gingerbread house building kits were purchased and donated by a couple of local benefactors for those who wish to compete. The south-side Swanson’s and the original downtown location of the Tinder Box are handing them out while supplies last. (Photo by Rick Moyer)
Eighty gingerbread house building kits were purchased and donated by a couple of local benefactors for those who wish to compete. The south-side Swanson’s and the original downtown location of the Tinder Box are handing them out while supplies last. (Photo by Rick Moyer)

By Kat Bryant

The Daily World

Aberdeen’s fifth annual Winterfest kicked off on Friday and will run through next Saturday, Dec. 5, with a virtual market, an online gingerbread house competition, a Santa visit via Zoom, and more.

Moyer Multi Media set up the Winterfest website (winterfestaberdeen.com) and is coordinating the virtual Holiday Market as well as a Zoom session with Santa. Owner Rick Moyer also will take and post photos of each gingerbread house contest entry so people can see them online.

The virtual Holiday Market is up and running on the Winterfest website. McCracken said vendors from all over the country are offering all manner of mostly handmade gift items. “We even have a vendor from Scotland,” she said.

Entries for the second annual gingerbread house competition will be displayed both online and in the front windows of the old Goldberg’s Furniture building, 110 W. Market St. in downtown Aberdeen. The south-side Swanson’s and the original downtown location of the Tinder Box will be handing out free building kits while supplies last.

Contest entry forms are available through the website. The gingerbread houses must be submitted between 2 and 6 p.m. Thursday at the Goldberg’s building. Judging will take place early Friday, with cash prizes to be awarded. The entries will remain on display through Dec. 19.

The annual Breakfast with Santa also has been scaled back to limit physical contact. Instead of sharing a meal, Santa will speak with families via Zoom by appointment between 10 a.m. and noon next Saturday, Dec. 5. Look for details on the Winterfest website.

In addition, participating downtown shops are offering gift certificates or products to be raffled off. For example, Marshall’s Garden & Pet is giving away a “rain chain” with little copper cups. Visitors between now and next Saturday can fill out a ticket at each shop to enter the drawings.

A list of participating stores and their offerings is available on the website. For updates and more, visit winterfestaberdeen.com.

Eighty gingerbread house building kits were purchased and donated by a couple of local benefactors for those who wish to compete. The south-side Swanson’s and the original downtown location of the Tinder Box are handing them out while supplies last. (Photo by Rick Moyer)

Eighty gingerbread house building kits were purchased and donated by a couple of local benefactors for those who wish to compete. The south-side Swanson’s and the original downtown location of the Tinder Box are handing them out while supplies last. (Photo by Rick Moyer)