WonderFest event celebrates sixth spectacular fundraising year
WonderFest, a unique Delaware holiday fundraiser produced by the nonprofit organization Festival of Cheer, concluded its sixth annual festival Jan. 2. WonderFest 2021 proved to be the charitable organization’s second-biggest season! Welcoming nearly 13,000 vehicles and an estimated 60,000 guests, along with generous sponsorship donations, helped Festival of Cheer raise over $125,000.
One hundred percent of WonderFest proceeds support Sussex County charities, and $100,000 was allocated to support the installation of cost-saving power infrastructure. A minimum of $25,000 will be allocated for capital equipment grants via the Festival of Cheer Community Grant Program.
John Snow, Festival of Cheer president, said, “As our Light Spectacular continued to grow, our nonprofit recognized the expense of generators would only become a greater burden on our organization. With tremendous support from Delaware Electric Co-Op and every visitor who came through our gates, we are now generator free! This will eliminate upwards of $90,000 of expenses each year, and ensure more grants are available for the nonprofits which serve our community.”
This permanent installation of power throughout Hudson Fields will support much more than just WonderFest. It will be accessible to all of the incredible events and concerts hosted at Hudson Fields, and Festival of Cheer is excited to share this gift with the community.
In addition to this significant infrastructure investment, the board of directors will once again invest in local nonprofits by awarding more than a dozen capital equipment grants to support their operations. More information will be available this spring, and nonprofits may begin applying Tuesday, March 15. Since 2016, more than $227,000 in WonderFest proceeds have been invested into Sussex County charities through this grant program.
Team WonderFest was also thrilled to have secured sponsorship for 90 percent of this season’s displays. Each sponsorship subsidizes about 50 percent of the cost of a scene, and this season was the biggest show yet. Not only was the event graciously supported financially by more than 45 local small businesses, but also, over 30 volunteers contributed 1,600 hours of their time to operate WonderFest 2021.
Additional 2021 season highlights included the return of open-air wagon rides through the Light Spectacular, and the debut of the permanent Small Wonder Exhibit celebrating coastal Delaware landmarks. Team WonderFest also unveiled the new drive-through route for the Light Spectacular, which resulted in the eliminating the 60-90-minute wait times to enter the light show.
Peter Briccotto, event director, said, “With so much uncertainty related to the ongoing pandemic, our nonprofit took a conservative approach this season to ensure a safe and manageable event which would make our community proud. Thanks to many helping hands and generous hearts, we achieved that mission. Our organization is jumping in with both feet to plan an event for 2022 which will further expand on the foundation we created this season.”
Festival of Cheer is already planning WonderFest 2022 and is hoping for the return of the organization’s ice rink, winter carnival, New Year’s Eve fireworks, and more!
For more information about Festival of Cheer’s WonderFest, email Peter Briccotto, Peter@wonderfestde.org.
