If you were looking for Christmas gifts, something for yourself or just a family-fun event, Evergreen’s 36th annual Winterfest was the place to be on Saturday, Dec. 4.
The mood was festive for the indoor-outdoor event at Center for the Arts Evergreen despite weather that was anything but December-like. Some attendees wore shorts as they looked at the 35 booths filled with clothing, jewelry, home décor, holiday items and more. Children decorated ornaments, groups sang holiday songs, and food trucks were available to round out a day of Hallmark movie-like fun.
This is the first year in Winterfest’s 36-year history that it has been held at Center for the Arts in Bergen Park. In previous years, Winterfest was held at Evergreen High School.
“We wanted to change things up,” CAE Executive Director Lisa Nierenberg said, especially since the event was canceled in 2020. “We are so excited about today.”
Attendees also could check out the gallery exhibit, “You Belong Here,” featuring the artists who are a regular part of CAE. Proceeds from Winterfest support CAE’s arts programming.
Families could have their photos taken with the Sugarplum Fairy, aka dancer Shilah Pless. Emmy Jennings of Littleton had her camera out to get photos of her family with the fairy. Nora, 6, said she was enjoying Winterfest, especially the hot chocolate and painting an ornament.
Nora and her brother, Smith, 2, along with their cousin Gwen, 2, posed for pictures.
Mom Emmy said the family decided to drive to Evergreen because it was nice to get out to do something festive.
Grandma Julie Larrew called Winterfest a wonderful event, especially for children.
Liezl Kapastin, a new Evergreen resident, enjoyed talking with attendees as she sold her gnome décor. Kapastin named her business Lullabuloo – a combination of lullaby and hullabaloo — to encapsulate the craziness of her life.
She quit her graphic design when her now 6-year-old was born, and recently she started making gnomes.
“Gnomes tell a story,” she explained, noting that she needed a creative outlet, and the gnomes fit the bill. “I need to use my hands and make things.”
As Summit Sound of Voices West performed holiday music in the background, Melissa Brooke of Brighton displayed her jewelry, Christmas décor, signs and more. She’s been crafting since she was young, and it’s her outlet after a long day at work.
Karen Haataja with WildArt is not new to foothills artisan fairs, having been a vendor at Summerfest and at the Conifer Holiday Boutique in the past. She liked the gallery venue because it gave Winterfest a different vibe.
Kristy Nguyen of Boulder looked festive in her green Christmas tree hoodie with a star on top, a fun contrast to the Christmas ornaments hanging on a tree in her booth. Nguyen had a steady stream of people checking out her wood accessories and gifts from her business called Mountain Gypsea.
Nguyen said she had been a vendor in the past when Winterfest was at EHS, and she loved having her booth outside for this year’s event.
“This is great,” she said. “I love that it’s indoors and outdoors. There is a talented, diverse group of vendors, and the community definitely comes out to support the event.”