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Organizers Already Looking At 2009 Holiday Festival

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: December 17, 2008

The dust has barely settled from the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce's second annual Holiday Festival in the Park, but organizers already are setting plans for next year.

"I think it went perfect except for the rain," said Cindy Fleming, chamber president of the Dec. 6 event. "Everything we had planned went off just as we planned it. I was just amazed."

The free community event, which ran from 4 to 7 p.m., was packed with an estimated 3,000 people until the skies opened up later in the day, Fleming said. Then attendance dwindled down to about 1,500, which she said she was still quite pleased with.

"The kids were entertained," she said. "The parking was under control. There was nothing going wrong."

Then the rain forced the musical performers to stop - an occurrence the chamber wasn't prepared for.

"We learned - next year we'll be ready," said Fleming.

Beyond providing a large entertainment tent to protect performers from the elements, Fleming was unsure exactly what changes will be made for the 2009 event.

"It will be laid out in our heads by the wrap up meeting (in January)," she said.
Sheri Goldberg, the chamber's executive director, said participation was very good this year.

"We had 21 vendors who were nonprofit organizations, churches and businesses in Wesley Chapel and several restaurants - all who gave goodies to the community for free," she said. "We do hope for an even bigger and better event next year and thank all of our generous volunteers for their hard work."

The annual tree lighting at Wesley Chapel Regional Park began in 2007 as a way for the business community to give back to local residents for their support. It features an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a children's parade, music, food, the lighting of a Christmas tree and more. The event is hosted completely free to the community and was inspired by a similar undertaking in California, Fleming said.

As for how well the festival stacks up to California's, Fleming said the local event is perfect for Wesley Chapel.

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or slonon@mediageneral.com.

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