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Chamber Invites Wesley Chapel Residents To Deck The Halls

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: November 19, 2008

Following on the success of last year's Holiday Festival in the Park, Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce organizers are hoping for an even bigger hit with the second annual event.

"We expected 500 last year," said Cindy Fleming, chamber president and the event's founder. The festivities ended up pulling in an estimated 2,000 people, she said. This year attendance estimates fall between 2,500 and 4,000.

While planning and signups are still under way for the Dec. 6 event at Wesley Chapel Regional Park, on the corner of Boyette and Overpass roads, some things are already firm. Macy's, for example, is the event's big sponsor, Fleming said. Santa Claus, the guest of honor, will be in attendance and once again will lead the tricycle, stroller and wagon parade through the park. The tree, too, is expected to drop jaws when it is lit up at 7 p.m., organizers say.

"I think it's one of the best things to happen to the community," said Fleming.

The idea for the festival came from Orange, Calif. This small town hosts an annual tree lighting with other festivities in its town square. While visiting during the holidays one year, Fleming said she was drawn to the sense of community and small-town flair of that tree lighting.

She thought a similar event would be a big hit in Wesley Chapel and a great way for the chamber and its members to say "thank you" to the community.

Sheri Goldberg, the chamber's executive director, pointed out that the entire event is free to the community. While businesses can have tables set up to give away freebies, no selling is allowed. Rather than a promotion of business, the holiday festival is about community spirit, she said.

"This is more than a free event," Goldberg said. "It's a memory."

With only a few weeks left to go before the big night, Goldberg said the chamber is still taking signups for a number of things. Businesses can contact her directly at the chamber, 994-8534, for information. Performing groups, churches, schools and nonprofit organizations that want to participate can call Mary Adele Cluck at 929-3478. Food vendors who would like to give away free samples can call Jeff Miller at 994-6795. The chamber is also accepting donations toward the free hot dogs and chips it plans to give out to attendees.

Youngsters and families that want to sign up for the parade can contact Nina Love at 929-7788. Santa's golf cart is the only motorized vehicle that will be allowed in the parade. Other participants are asked to deck out and dress up their bicycles, wagons and tricycles. Prizes for parade entries will be given away in a variety of categories.

The event begins at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 with Santa's arrival via fire truck. Other activities include the "It's a Magical Christmas" children's parade, a cookie decorating contest, bounce house, coloring contest, free food and more. The event culminates with the lighting of the tree at 7 p.m.

For more information or to register a business, visit the chamber's Web site at wesleychapelchamber.com.

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

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