tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:/posts Pensacola Winterfest Behind the Scenes 2016-07-08T13:15:48Z tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220579 2013-01-07T00:15:30Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Strike the Set on 12th Night Twelfth Night is a festival marking the coming of the Epiphany and concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas, so every trace of Christmas is put away in PODS or downstairs in our basement lair. We're sad to say goodbye to Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, our actors and crew. However, we are hard at work planning exciting performances and displays to make 2013 Winterfest and the Elf Parade bigger and better than ever. 

Happy New Year!

Denise Chenel Daughtry
850 435-0914

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220580 2012-12-23T16:31:21Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest Awards At the annual dinner on the last night of the Winterfest Performance Tours, actors and crew celebrated another great year. Special honors were given to our Navy friends who provided the volunteers. Over 2000 hours were donated by 30 workers during the event. Captain James Daniels accepted a commemorative plaque from John Niemeyer, Facilities Manager. 

Ed Pate, Winterfest Master of Ceremonies honored other participants. The Team Spirit Award went to Bob Whittaker, Chief of Operations and Christa Whittaker, Performance Tour director. Tiny Tim from the Scrooge stop was the "Junior Drama Star". Emily Mixon who played Miss Winterfest was named the "Red Trolley Repertory Theater Best Performer". Over thirty students from the Gulf Breeze High School Drama Department are performers at "Whoville and the Grinch" and the "Charlie Brown Christmas stops. The students entertain with a special show around the Christmas tree in the Palafox Plaza, as well as, scamper around at```1kk the "Reindeer Games". Margie Timmons is the director of the program. She received "The Most Valuable Player" award.

The "Polar Express" stop at the law office of Lisa Minshew is the highlight of the Winterfest Tour and sets the storyline for the trip. Two of the players at the stop are retiring this year. Angel Mitchell has been the "Hero Girl" since 2007. Joe Minshew began playing "the Boy" in 2004 when his was five years old. They both received a gold conductor's watch.

Along the route, honors were awarded for the "Best Individual Performance" to Stu Bonnin at the "Cajun Night Before Christmas". The "Best Overall Senior Group Performance" went to the Scrooge players. The "Best Youth Group Performance" accolades were given to "A Charlie Brown Christmas". The "Best Scenic Design" award was given to the "Polar Express" team. Elvis was the favored as having the "Outstanding Vocal Performance".

Thanks to all of you for making this the best Winterfest ever!

Denise Daughtry, President

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220586 2012-12-18T21:22:45Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest Entertains at Rotary Stars of Winterfest entertained Rotary Club members at their annual Christmas luncheon. Frosty, Rudolph and the Chief Elf were greeters while
Miss Winterfest, the Angel, and Dave Daughtry sang songs from the production. Santa visited children of Club members by the Christmas tree. We enjoyed a delicious luncheon and spread Winterfest cheer.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220589 2012-11-22T17:42:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Thanks for Being Part of Winterfest!

Winterfest has so much to be thankful for in 2012! It's been a banner year for our charter and parking fundraising projects. We've met a bunch of great folks parking in our lots at Wahoo games and Civic Center events, and those parking donations support over 50% of our festival budget and make it possible for us to invent new and exciting adventures. We're so grateful for our guests who've made Winterfest a part of their holiday traditions year after year.

Most of all we give thanks for our tireless team of performers and volunteers who support our activites year-round with over 10,000 hours of their time. We really couldn't do it without their help.

Join us at the Elf Parade tomorrow to see Santa's new sleigh pulled by our full team of reindeer. Help our guest of honor Tony make the first wish of Christmas. Then we'll light up the plaza and start the snow as we kick off the Christmas season in song. The first 100 elves get free tickets to see The Polar Express at the Saenger Theater at 6:30.

Happy Thanksgiving! ]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220595 2012-10-24T06:30:37Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Cajun Night Before Christmas

Even in Florida the spirit of the bayou can be discovered. Louisiana native, Dr. Stu Bonnin who is a pediatric dentist with offices on East Olive Road in Pensacola, recites a special version of the Clement Moore's, "Night Before Christmas" for Winterfest visitors. In Trosclair's version, alligators with names like Gaston, Pierre and Suzette pull Santa's pirogue through the water.

Clovis, the Crawfish joins Gaston, the alligator along the Winterfest tour route.  Watch for a very special appearance by Cajun Santa who is dressed in muskrat and burlap.


]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220602 2011-12-22T22:08:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Thanks to our customers, staff, volunteers and sponsors, we had a wonderful Winterfest - better than ever. Our New Year's Resolutions: more snow, more singing, dancing and fun. (images by Cheryl Casey - cherylcaseyphotography.com)

Santa and Winterfest wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We'll see you soon.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220605 2011-12-16T04:05:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest in the News!

There have been great network affiliate news stories about Winterfest this year. Here are two examples. One is from our friends at WEAR TV, Channel 3 about the "Christmas Story" performance in Seville Square. The CBS video is a synopsis of the event. The Atlanta station was in Pensacola to promote tourism.

http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wear_vid_19396.shtml

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220609 2011-12-13T06:32:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z "A Christmas Story" at Winterfest
We "double dog dare" you to join Ralphie and friends for a snow fight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 - 9:00 at light post 34 on Zaragossa Street in Seville Square. Participants ten and under may take part in the school yard scene from the movie classic. Wear your winter gear and prepare for a unique snow experience with Winterfest's new snow machine, the Blizzard. Be part of the action as the trolleys pass the performance stop every fifteen minutes.

But be careful not to get your tongue stuck to the pole.


Denise Chenel Daughtry
850 435-0914

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220610 2011-12-11T20:29:00Z 2016-07-08T13:15:48Z The Great Cookie Contest

The Pensacola News Journal and Pensacola Hardware are sponsoring a "Great Holiday Cookie Contest". Winterfest is participating by supplying some of the judges, including Santa who has sampled more cookies than anyone else in the world. Do you have a secret recipe for the perfect Christmas cookie? Here's your chance to show Santa that you have the right stuff. He'll be watching and checking for the tastiest sample. Your reward could be a $100 Pensacola Hardware gift certificate or a $50 certificate for the People's Choice Award. Along with Santa, lucky passengers on Saturday night, December 17th will be the judges. See contest details listed below.



]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220613 2011-12-09T03:45:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Santa addresses Country Commission

Santa visited Escambia Country Commissioners at their final meeting before the holidays. He thanked Commissioners and staff for their invaluable support since 2004. The Winterfest Festival has been held at the restored County Courthouse building and in the adjacent plaza since 2009. In addition to providing Winterfest with a home, the County contributed funds and equipment, giving the project a head start. Frosty, Rudolph and Elf John passed out goodies to the assembled dignitaries. 

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220622 2011-11-26T17:16:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Our Best Opening Night Ever!

Downtown Pensacola was full of elves, families, and holiday cheer last night. Santa and friends debuted the Winterfest snow blizzard made to a crowd of hundreds in Plaza Wonderland, and we even made the news! Gulf Breeze High School Drama, the Seville Quarter Phoggettes, and the Belmont Youth Band rang in the holidays with great performances. Thanks to nearly a hundred volunteers and over a thousand guests, Winterfest 2011 is off to a great start. See you next Saturday!

http://bit.ly/WEAR-Downtown-Christmas-2011

http://on.pnj.com/Downtown-Christmas-2011

Check out the Local section of the PNJ and the cover of the Escambia Sun-Press today, and pick up a Downtown Crowd for a complete guide to Winterfest. 

 

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220627 2011-11-24T18:21:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Thanks! We'll see you at the Elf Parade!

We at Winterfest have so much to be thankful for: Our great guests and volunteers have made this year a tremendous success, from our new Halloween Tour to 21 adventurous performances with pirates and UFOs as Red Trolley Repertory Theatre. We've met so many great folks through our wedding charters and even met some couples who have memories of Winterfest's past. 

It's not over yet! Tomorrow, a parade of elves will be joining us for the opening celebration and the best part of the year begins. 

We have our own weather system thanks to the new Snow Blizzard machines designed and built by our crew, part of the Winterfest Holiday Collection.

Best of all we give thanks for our tireless team of performers and volunteers who support our activites year-round with over 10,000 hours of their time.

Happy Thanksgiving! We can't wait to see you all at Winterfest 2011.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220628 2011-11-22T06:11:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Let it Snow!

Winterfest is set to unveil a new snow machine with a 55 gallon per hour capacity. That's quite a snowfall and unlike the real thing, our snow is not the icy variety. It leaves no residue and is not slippery or sticky. There's enough of the white stuff to throw and even build a fluffy Florida snow man.

Come and enjoy our "snow blizzard".

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220629 2011-11-21T06:13:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest Dress Rehearsal

Players from all performances gathered at the Courthouse to practice their skills as singers and dancers. The annual class photo features a bevy of elves, famous Christmas characters and those not so famous, like Gaston who is Santa's escort through the swamps of Louisiana.

We'll see you soon at Winterfest.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220634 2011-11-19T14:07:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:07Z Winterfest Design Team

Preparations are underway for Winterfest at 221 Palafox Place. Our team of accomplished designers are fluffing, polishing and arranging Santa's Christmas Wonderland at the Escambia Country Courthouse. Bob Whittaker, crew chief reaches the very top of the plaza tree in a bucket truck while Charles Parker perches on a ladder on the front lawn. John Niemeyer assists with the tree wrapping.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220637 2011-11-13T18:15:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:07Z Behind the Scenes at the Winterfest Office

Santa's workshop is a busy place these days, as the elves toil tirelessly at the Winterfest office on Intendencia Street in the Seville Historic District. Miles of ribbon go into the making of wreaths that will hang at the County Courthouse. Our design team add sparkling and shining accents to make the season "merry and bright".

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220638 2011-11-01T07:49:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:07Z Happy Halloween!

On the final Halloween Tour, passengers witnessed the transformation of downtown Pensacola into a land of zombie pirates and dancers. They were greeted by Pumpkin Man and entertained by the "Thriller" dancers. Despite being chased by Michael Meyers and abducted by a bank robber,
our tour guide, Brandice led the dance team. She proved her bravery by thwarting the evil Huracan. Join Brandice and the Red Trolley Repertory Theater again next year for more thrills.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220643 2011-10-30T12:21:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:07Z Michael Meyers Stalks Tour Guide!

On a cool October evening, the Blood Red Trolley set a course for adventure. Passengers visited ghosts, were inspired by the "Thriller" dancers and frightened by zombie pirates at the hanging tree in Seville Square. However, the tour was interrupted by a familiar character, Michael Meyers. Dr. Loomis warned Brandice, our tour guide, about his recent escape from the mental hospital in Chatahouchee. Meyer is on the loose in downtown Pensacola. Will Brandice be saved?

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220644 2011-10-29T13:20:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:07Z Hurricane Season Over Thanks to Brave Passengers

Huracan, the Mayan god, was defeated and Pensacola is safe from hurricanes this season. Brave young passengers thwarted the lizard-like creature with magic water guns as he roamed Plaza de Luna with his former adversary, Tristan de Luna. Ever since the plaza was completed in 2008, the ghost of Tristan de Luna has haunted the downtown area, searching for his lost shipmates and lamenting the doomed voyage which was destroyed by the angry Mayan god.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220645 2011-10-23T14:55:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:07Z Pumpkin Man Joins the Tour

The Witch welcomes Pumpkin Man to the Halloween Tour. He's on hand to greet children at the Visitors Information Center. The group of characters joins together for a group photo at the witch's house but Michael Meyers may be hiding within, waiting for his chance to find Laurie, the tour guide.


]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220574 2011-10-16T14:12:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Voyage of Discovery.

On Saturday evening the Blood Red Trolley ventured forth on a voyage of discovery to find restless spirits who have been trapped in time. Ghosts have haunted Pensacola since 1559. Hundreds of sailors on eight ships became the doomed souls of the first Spanish expedition, swept away by a hurricane. Passengers met Tristan de Luna and his adversary, Huracan, the Mayan god of hurricanes. They vanquished the creature and kept hurricanes from visiting Pensacola this year.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220575 2011-10-15T09:37:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Blood Red Trolley First Adventure!

Despite the lurking menace of Michael Meyers, the first Halloween Tour was a grand success. Congratulations to Alina Reiners of Gulf Breeze for her winning entry in our pumpkin carving contest.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220578 2011-08-07T13:09:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Young Pirates Find Treasure.

These here young lads and lasses are learning how to be proper pirates. Captain Scallawag introduced Godzilla who guards the pirate treasure. The King was defeated and came aboard for fun and treats.

Denise Chenel Daughtry
850 435-0914

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220583 2011-07-12T02:42:59Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z All Aboard for a Pirate Adventure Our pirates sailed on an adventure that included another defense of
the treasure by Godzilla. He retreats to the bay and awaits a new and
unsuspecting crowd of treasure seekers.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220590 2011-06-08T12:19:18Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Ahoy, there Matey

Well shiver me timbers, the Pirates of Pensacola have been spotted prowling the seas. The brave lads aboard our good ship, the Red Trolley, bested the likes of Godzilla and captured a treasure from the chest of Tristan de Luna.


]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220594 2010-12-24T17:22:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Silent Night

As we approach Christmas Day, Winterfest pauses to reflect on the majesty of the season. Here's our very own angel, Nanatte Dawson, to remind us why we're all here.

If you are able, please consider giving time or financial support to one of the many local churches and organizations who help those less fortunate during these challenging times.

Salvation Army Pensacola

Waterfront Rescue Mission

Manna Food Bank

Loaves and Fishes

Ronald McDonald House

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity

United Way of Escambia County

Merry Christmas from Winterfest! Share the Spirit.

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220598 2010-12-23T14:02:31Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Tonight is the last night of Santa's Holiday Express and The carriage rides, and we wanted to share this great video with you.

Come early for the tour tonight, then head to Seville Square for Caroling in Olde Seville!

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220607 2010-12-16T00:32:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest - the most wonderful time of the year

Watch scenes of Winterfest from last weekend and join us for our final tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We'll have snow and hot cocoa. Celebrate your holiday downtown with Santa and your favorite characters with our Winterfest family. Visit our Facebook page for more information. facebook.com/pensacolawinterfest.

 

 

]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220611 2010-12-14T04:33:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest Clips from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Here are a couple of great clips from Extreme Makeover featuring Santa's Sleigh and the Red Trolley Singers. You can watch the whole episode on Hulu.

Don't forget to reserve your seats for our final weekend: December 17 - 19, 2010!


The Gaston Family heads to Disney World in Santa's Sleigh


The Winterfest Singers help the Extreme Makeover crew with their shopping ]]> tag:blog.pensacolawinterfest.org,2013:Post/220617 2010-12-12T15:26:00Z 2013-10-08T16:08:06Z Winterfest - as seen on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Winterfest helps hit ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition bring Christmas joy to the Gaston family of Pensacola. The show aired on December 12th at 7:00 p.m. Singers Nanatte Dawson, Brandice Purvis, Paul Morrell, and Dave Daughtry joined the parade celebration along with holiday favorite Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The Gaston family was whisked away on vacation in Santa's sleigh, built by Winterfest designer, Jared Petticrew and the Red Trolley Repertory Singers serenaded with the Makeover designers at Sears.

Stay tuned to the blog for highlights and links to watch online tomorrow!

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