Delaware's Winter Wonderfest: Here's what you should know

Taylor Goebel
The Daily Times

The holidays — and all the cooking, stuffing turkeys (and faces), airport delays, pie, snow, eggnog and family hullabaloo — are upon us. Between tree picking and latke frying, there are plenty of opportunities to take a breather and visit Winter Wonderfest, a seven-week long festival in Lewes that raises money for local charities. 

Organizers are hoping for 70,000 visitors this year between Nov. 17 and Dec. 31. 

On the first day, dash for hot chocolate

And cookie bars, because it's always good to balance a cold run with dessert. 

On Nov. 17, the Winter Wonderfest kicks off with a 5K run and walk at 4:30 p.m., starting and finishing at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal. It may be cold, but participants can warm up while running past the festival's light display in Cape Henlopen State Park. A one-mile fun walk starts at 6 p.m. the same night.

Complimentary shuttle service is provided for participants from the Christmas Village at the ferry into the heart of the Light Spectacular at the state park with free returns. Shuttles will operate from 6-9 p.m. and the last shuttle will enter the state park at 8:30 p.m.

Crew members finished setting up Christmas Village at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for the third annual Winter Wonderfest

Participants will receive a long sleeve shirt, hot chocolate and a cookie bar and two drink tickets for water, soda and/or Bud Light for guests 21 and older. Kids 12 and under get five free village tickets. 

To register and for more information about the festival, visit http://wonderfestde.org/hours.html. Adults pay $35 and tickets for kids under 18 are $20. Ugly sweaters, holiday costumes and glow gear are highly encouraged. 

The ice rink is bigger than ever...

The Visit Delaware ice rink, located at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry is 7,000 square feet — that's 40 percent bigger than last year's rink and it measures out to be NHL-regulation width.

Organizers also added more buildings the Christmas Village that wraps around the ice rink. Prices for the Christmas Village vary, from $2 per ticket to a $70 family pack, which contains 100 tickets. Tickets can be purchased online at http://wonderfestde.org/christmas-village.html

From left: Rep. Steve Smyk (R), Sen. Ernie Lopez (R-Lewes) and House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth) stand in support of Winter Wonderfest at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal on Nov. 14.

The ice rink is open Tuesday through Sunday except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and times vary. Admission on weekends is $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Weekday prices run a flat rate of $6 per person. That price includes skate rental. 

Carnival rides and games run aplenty here, as do opportunities to donate. This is the first year of Pack the Pickup, a food, toy and coat drive located at the ferry terminal. Guests can help out local charities while skating, visiting Santa's workshop and hanging at the Crooked Hammock Lodge at the same location. 

...So is the light display

Winter Wonderfest has 150 light displays this year on the 1.5 mile ride through Cape Henlopen State Park, up from 110 in 2017. Unlike Christmas Village, it will remain open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Car passes are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Light Spectacular is open from 5-10 p.m. on the weekends and 5-9 p.m. on holidays. Visit http://wonderfestde.org/lights-spectacular.html to purchase tickets and for more information. 

Brandano Designs of Syracuse, New York provided several designs created for Winter Wonderfest, like this one of a woman magically decorating a Christmas tree.

All those lights are for a good cause

The mission of Festival of Cheer, the nonprofit that puts on Winter Wonderfest, is to support Sussex County charities through cultural events and health-related activities. It focuses on health, education, culture and the environment. Since its 2016 inception, Winter Wonderfest has raised $140,000 for 19 nonprofits in Sussex County. 

More Christmas:Winterfest of Lights: How to find short lines, warm cocoa at Ocean City's holiday classic

Holiday deals:Black Friday 2018 ads from Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Best Buy and more released

More festivities:Christmas 2018: Parades in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia