IT'S THE MOST WOODINVILLE TIME OF YEAR WINTERFEST RETURNS IN 2021

Winterfest, produced by the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce, is designed for visitors and residents alike to enjoy the holiday season in the heart of downtown.

After taking a brief hiatus from the typical event in 2020, Winterfest is returning with Santa and his elves as well as lots of opportunities to eat, drink and visit. The celebration, which takes place Dec. 4, will begin with a 5K/10K walk and run in the morning, followed by the holiday fair and tree lighting from 3-6 p.m.

“The evening holiday fair will take place in downtown Woodinville,” said Kimberly Ellertson, executive director for the chamber. “From hot cocoa to wreath making to Santa’s arrival in Woodinville, Winterfest has something for everyone.”

According to Ellertson, the holiday fair will include live music as well as choir performances from Woodinville High School and Leota Middle School. Mayor Gary Harris plans to welcome the community with a message, followed by Santa’s procession and the community tree lighting. There will also be complimentary s’mores, hot cocoa, hot apple cider, local wines and bites to eat.

She said the mission of Winterfest is to encourage a sense of community and promote local wineries, breweries, businesses and agriculture.

“We enjoy bringing the Woodinville community together during the holiday season,” she said. “We are also honored to welcome visitors from around the region to join us during Winterfest and get to know Woodinville in a variety of ways.”

Ellertson encourages visitors to join in on the small-town charm and family fun. She recommends that guests from outside town check out one of the nearby hotels or bed & breakfasts, and learn about all that Woodinville has to offer in the winter.

The event first started at Windermere Real Estate with a Santa event that grew over the years. Eventually, the annual celebration was taken over by the chamber. Ellertson said the inaugural Winterfest 5K was kicked off successfully in 2017.

The Woodinville Chamber also hosts the annual Celebrate Woodinville concert series and festival in July and August each year. After canceling last year due to pandemic restrictions, the event returned in 2021 with summer concerts at Wilmot Gateway Park and a virtual 5K.

These free, family-friendly events included a variety of high-energy bands playing fun music for all ages, an array of foods and sweets from local restaurants, and an adult beverage garden with wines from premiere Woodinville Wine Country wineries and craft beers from local breweries.

For more information about these community events, visit www.celebratewoodinville.com.

Kimberly Ellertson

AUGUST 4: Celebrate Woodinville Summer Concert, Wilmot Gateway Park, 6:30-8 p.m.

AUG. 29: The Big Woodinville Car Show, Woodinville Sports Complex, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

SEPT. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Restoration Work Party, 21 Acres, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

SEPT. 4, 11, 18: Volunteer Farm Day, 21 Acres, 10 a.m. -1 p.m.

SEPT. 4 (EVERY SATURDAY UNTIL END OF OCTOBER): Woodinville Farmers Market, DeYoung Park, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

DAY): Virtual Plant Medicine 101, 21 Acres via Zoom, 12-1 p.m.

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Photos courtesy of Woodinville Chamber of Commerce

Serving Woodinville since 1995 BREAKFAST ALL DAY

Open 7 Days a week from 7am – 3pm

SEPT. 5: Summer Concerts - Tower of Power and WAR, Chateau Ste Michelle Amphitheatre, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7: Summer Concerts - Rodrigo y Gabriela, Chateau Ste Michelle Amphitheatre, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 9: Woodinville Chamber Networkin’ Nite, The Lounge at DeLille Cellars, 5-6:30 p.m.

SEPT. 9, 10: Summer Concerts - John Legend, Chateau Ste Michelle Amphitheatre, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 11,12: Summer Concerts - Train, Chateau Ste Michelle Amphitheatre, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 16: Woodinville Chamber Business Luncheon and Candidate Forum, Sparkman Cellars, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

TURDAY): Virtual Green Building Tour, 21 Acres via Zoom, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

SEPT. 18: Summer Concerts - Lake Street Drive, Chateau Ste Michelle Amphitheatre, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 19: Summer Concerts - Chris Isaak, Chateau Ste Michelle Amphitheatre, 7 p.m.

TURDAY): Virtual Farm Walk, 21 Acres via Zoom, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

OCT. 7: Woodinville Chamber Networkin’ Nite, Securite Gun Club, 5-6:30 p.m. OCT. 9: Preparing for a Spring Garden with Hawthorn Farm, 21 Acres via Zoom, 1-2:10 p.m.

NOV. 4: Woodinville Chamber Networkin’ Nite, Barrage Cellars, 5-6:30 p.m. NOV. 13: Squash on the Homestead with Hawthorn Farm, 21 Acres via Zoom, 1-2:10 p.m.

DEC. 11: Maple Tapping with Hawthorn Farm, 21 Acres via Zoom, 1-2:10 p.m.