Ocean City Today
8B LIFESTYLE
Holiday program benefits veterans (Jan. 11, 2013) Start the year off by thanking a veteran with a Valentine’s Day card. For the 13th year, cards will be sent to four veteran rehab medical centers to thank soldiers for their sacrifices and to let them know they are loved, appreciated and not forgotten. All area schools, clubs, businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to participate with purchased cards (no youth cards), but homemade cards are particularly appreciated. No postage is necessary. Cards should be addressed to “a veteran.” Valentines may be dropped off in Ocean Pines as Re/Max Office at 11049 Racetrack Road, Copy Central or the Ocean Pines library on Cathell Road, or the Ocean Pines Community Center in White Horse Park. The deadline is Monday, Jan. 28. Linda Dearing and the Copy Central staff will then send the cards, along with some candy, to Charlotte Hall Veterans Hospital, Baltimore Rehab Center, Baltimore VA Medical Center and Perry Point Hospital. For more information, call 410641-7391 or e-mail at louetta@mcclaflin.com. This project is sponsored by Caring for America, a mission of the Republican Women of Worcester County.
JANUARY 11, 2013
More than 95k visit illuminated holiday displays In 20th year, Winterfest of Lights raises more than $502,000 in 48 nights LISA CAPITELLI ■ Assistant Editor (Jan. 11, 2013) On New Year’s Day, 506 passengers boarded the Winterfest Express for a trip through the illuminated Northside Park, wrapping up the 48-night holiday spectacular. The 127th Street Winterfest of Lights displays, which contained as many as 1 million lights and more than 100 twinkling, shining, glittering and animated scenes, were viewed by 95,599 people, according to Tom Shuster, director of the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department. An average of 1,991 people rode the train through the park each night. The overall total was a bit less from the record 107,405 passengers who took the 12-minute train ride last year when Winterfest of Lights was open for 46 days. It broke the previous attendance record of 93,937, set in 2001. Revenue generated during the 2011-12 festival was nearly $513,000. The 20th annual Winterfest of Light’s attendance marks the second highest total.
“We were really pleased with [Winterfest of Lights]. The turnout was very good and the crowd was consistent throughout the season,” Shuster said. “I brought someone to Winterfest of Lights for the first time and they were awed by it. It’s nice to see it through someone else’s eyes who hasn’t seen it before.” Approximately $502,000 in revenue was generated during the 2012-13 festival. Attendance during the final weekend of the 20th annual event was strong, with 3,557 riders on Friday, Dec. 28, 1,437 on Dec. 29, 2,325 on Dec. 30, 3,120 on New Year’s Eve, and 506 passengers on the last night, Jan. 1. The biggest night overall was the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 23, when 7,538 people rode the train. The second largest attendance night was Saturday, Dec. 1, when 6,918 enjoyed the festivities. The fairly mild temperatures and good weather was a factor in the overall attendance, Shuster said. The weather only affected one night, Dec. 26, when Winterfest of Lights was closed early due to rain. Winterfest of Lights has become a tradition for families. Many visit each year to take the guided open-air tour through the park accompanied by holiday music. Some existing displays were refurbished and upgraded this year, and many of the lights were replaced with LED (Light
Emitting Diodes) bulbs, which are energy efficient, have greater brilliance, are more vibrant and last longer than other lights. New light displays were added as well, including a tornado that was incorporated into the Wizard of Oz Emerald City scene. A group of private donors also purchased a “Happy Hanukkah” display and Menorah. This year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Winterfest of Lights, there was a fireworks display at midnight on New Year’s Eve. “It was awesome,” Shuster said of the 8-minute display presented by American Fireworks of Hudson, Ohio. “It was a great show and it was very well received.” Shuster estimated that 700-1,000 people gathered in the parking lot at Northside Park to watch. Because the fireworks display was so well received, Shuster said $10,000 has been included into the budget for a show during the 2013-14 Winterfest of Lights. It will have to be approved by the mayor and City Council. Crews began unpacking displays from trailers and setting up the winter wonderland in mid-September. There is a different layout for the Winterfest of Lights displays each year in order to keep it new and fresh for riders. It also challenges them to find their favorite See ADDED on Page 9B