The patches of snow at this year’s Family Holiday Fest at Riverside Park may not have looked like much to northerners who have already had to dig themselves out of the white stuff, but to young Floridians, it was really, really cool. Slipping and sliding in sandals, for many it was their first experience.
The snow was the latest addition to the annual event to benefit Literacy Services of Indian River County, joining a whole host of other holiday activity booths, rides, games and entertainment.
The event opened at 11 a.m. and by noon more than 2,000 people, including little ones fairly hopping with excitement, had already passed through the main entrance. Volunteers, many of them tutors in Literacy Services programs, plus a large number of students from the Charter High School, all pitched in to help handle the crowds.
The park was a hubbub of activity, with parents and grandparents lugging bags filled with giveaways from vendors and loads of craft items made on the spot by talented tots, from garland-draped miniature Christmas trees to ornaments to adorn them.
Some of the more unusual included the Whole Child Indian River booth, where kids could make “magic reindeer food” of oats and glitter – just sprinkle it on the lawn to help Rudolph find his way.
Spewing bubbles high into the air, the Sunshine Laundry Wash Zone, had a bubble-filled, misty walk-through that completely captivated little Layla Baker, almost 3. “I’m wet Poppy, I’m wet!” said the drenched but delighted Layla to grandfather Thomas Baker. “Can I do it again?”
At the Lowe’s booth, children were busy working on “Build and Grow” kits, and at Santa’s Workshop kids tapped into their inner artist by decorating coffee mugs donated by Oneida. “A lot of them are doing them for Santa,” shared volunteer Margie Zunk.
And speaking of the big guy, the ever popular Santa was ensconced on a throne in the shade, listening patiently as children earnestly rattled off their Christmas lists. As they waited in line, people were entertained by talented local musicians, dancers and gymnasts performing on the big stage.
At the Military Moms Care Zone, children wrote heartfelt messages on holiday cards which would be included in care packages. Lynn Marie Saint-Vincent, outreach coordinator, also offered mailing boxes for visitors to take and fill with goodies to give troops serving overseas a taste of home.
Literacy Services of Indian River County provides free one-on-one tutoring to adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills or learn English as a second language. The organization also encourages family literacy through a Reading to Babies and Toddlers program.
