GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Christmas season is around the corner and what better way to get in the spirit than by visiting a Winter Wonderland right here in the 352.
Thousands of lights are shining bright at the YMCA of North Central Florida this holiday season. The “Winter Wonderland” is set to open to the public this Friday, Nov. 17. It will be open every Friday and Saturday until Dec. 30. Reservations are for timed entry every half hour from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. to allow visitors enough time to take it all in before the walk-thru experience closes at 9 p.m.
Tuesday evening, curators and partners of the event along with elves, and even Santa, gathered together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Three local businesses – Twinkle Nights Holiday Lights, Sun Power Lawn Care and Lit Christmas Trees – partnered with the YMCA to bring the idea to light.
Tom Snogles is the producer of the Winter Wonderland and founder of Twinkle Nights Holiday Lights. He refers to himself as the “lead elf” of the team. Snogles says he really wants the Gainesville community and families nearby to come by and enjoy all that the wonderful wonderland has to offer!
“It’s the time of year where everyone can kind of forget what’s going on and just rejoice together in being alive and just celebrate the spirit of Christmas,” said Snogles.
The Winter Wonderland offers a variety of different displays, games, and a gift shop. But that’s not all, every 30 minutes, there’s a light show set to music! Kids can even send a letter to Santa and meet him as well!
The wonderland also features ornament making and even though we’re in the Sunshine State, a little snow too!
“We’ve strived to create a memory-making, magical adventure… from the music and food to the games and activities, we’ll be immersing our guests in holiday cheer and enchantment—something Gainesville doesn’t offer right now,” said Snogles.
Tickets are $15 and children under three are free. A dollar from each ticket will be donated to the YMCA. You can also purchase an “Elf Pass” for $40 which includes a “magic wand” that brings the displays to life, and a photo with Santa that you can take home.
Santa shared his story with 352today and why it was important to him to come all the way from the North Pole to be a part of the first Winter Wonderland in Gainesville. He says he was visiting a school here in Florida one year and says he’s used to hearing about children’s wishes for an Xbox, PlayStation, baby dolls and more. But he says one child who sat on his knee completely changed his trajectory. He says the little boy asked him for food on the table and jobs for his parents for Christmas.
“I thought to myself there has to be more children than just this little boy that has those needs,” said Santa.
Since then, Santa has worked with the Kiwanis Club of the Lake Region, his elves, and alongside others in this area to make sure children and their families don’t just have toys during this holiday season, but food and clothes as well.
Santa will be at the Winter Wonderland to take pictures, see if your kids have been naughty or nice this year, and hear what they’d like for Christmas!
Snogles says he is looking forward to everyone coming out and having a wonderful time in the Winter Wonderland. He also added that he hopes this is something that can be done yearly in the future.
The wonderland is located at 5201 NW 34th Blvd. If you’d like more information or want to purchase tickets, click here.