Winterfest will be the place to be
BULLHEAD CITY – Sccraape! That’s the sound the blade of an ice skate as it comes to a hockey-style, hard stop, and a spray of ice hits the boards. If you’re the ballet-like figure skater, the sound is silence, balancing and spinning on a toe-pick. Either way, you get to feel your power using your own speed and agility. It’s yours to experience at Winter Festival, Dec 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Anderson Ford Fieldhouse on Bullhead Parkway in Bullhead City.
“It’s the first time there will be ice skating in Bullhead City,” said Jackie Jensen Walker, Sponsorship Coordinator of the City of Bullhead City, and the biggest Winter Festival the area has seen with an expected 5,000 attendees throughout the day. Winter Festival features a synthetic, 60-foot-by-80-foot ice-skating surface. Not cold like ice, but wear heavy clothes anyway to cushion the inevitable falls—it’s part of the fun. Skate sizing starts at Youth Size 9.
In addition to the rink, Bullhead City Recreation Department contracted with Perfect Parties Entertainment to bring the world’s largest snowman bounce-house to the Anderson Ford Fieldhouse and a Mount Everest Climb-and-Slide. “Bounce-slide meets rock wall,” said Walker. Speaking of bounce-houses, local vendor Suzi Bounce Party Rentals is supplying an additional eight bounce-houses.
Then, splot! That’s the sound a snowball makes when it hits the center of your back. It’s often followed by a shriek of surprise—and playful retaliation! Wanna experience it yourself?! With plush balls launched from slingshots, “it’s the Arizona version of a snowball fight,” said Walker, and it’s available at Winter Festival.
Santa’s Workshop, previously a separate event, is being folded into Winter Festival, with an area set aside for holiday-themed crafting. Santa’s Workshop is included with the Winter Wonderland Wristband.
The atmosphere, the experience of Winter Festival is free, but there is a lot of expense involved, so some of the most popular activities are subsidized by a $10/pp Winter Wonderland Wristband. The Anderson Ford Fieldhouse offers extensive free parking. Free activities include:
• Even though it’s bring-your-own-camera, get pictures taken with Santa!
• Toddler area where the littlest ones can play safely, “with games and even their own bounce houses,” said Walker.
• Games and activities for older kids.
• Vendors—more than 100 of them—for holiday shopping, as well as self-gifting.
Then, the sounds of Christmas! Various musicians, vocalists and performances are planned throughout the day, with “church choirs, high schools, local dance clubs, even a mariachi band,” said Walker. All the entertainment is local, and, hint, there are a few spaces to fill.
With more than 100 vendors expressing interest, the City had to expand into the front parking lot; the area will be tented. Walker’s office is still accepting sponsors and vendors. New-to-town (their facility has barely started construction, that’s how new they are!) Exceptional Healthcare, as well Weinerschnitzel and Mohave Electric Company, is already on board. More were signing up at press time, and big thanks to all!
Winter Festival used to be held the same day as the Boombox Parade, but the pandemic pushed people apart so they now fill separate days. Since we mentioned it, this year’s Boombox Parade is Sat, Dec 2, starting at 6 p.m. Grab a spot along Hancock Road between River Gardens and the Bullhead City Fire Station Station 1 at Trane Road.
Truly, this year’s Winter Festival is the place to be on Dec 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Anderson Ford Fieldhouse on Bullhead Parkway in Bullhead City. “Everyone’s excited,” said Walker. For more information reach out to Jackie Jensen Walker at 928-763-9400 or Jjensen@BullheadCity.gov.
Juliette Cowall
