Expect some snow, a visit from Santa Claus, a parade and other festivities during the 20th annual Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Holiday Fest on Dec. 6.
“Bundle up for one of the most exciting community events on the calendar,” said Chamber of Commerce President Adriana Cuomo. “This will be a great time for everyone to kick off the holiday season.”
Held on the Great Lawn at Founders Park in Islamorada, the event’s star attraction, the Holiday Fest Snow Mountain, will once again be made out of 30 tons of the cold white stuff — more than enough to delight mitten-clad children and some of their more playful parents too. Islamorada’s 35-foot high official holiday tree will be blowing magical snow through its branches.
Snow is far from the only thing promised at Holiday Fest. At 7:30 p.m., the Holiday Parade will kick off with floats, antique cars, and Santa himself. The grand marshal, Fire Chief Terry Abel, will lead the parade’s, featuring feature businesses, organizations and individuals riding in vehicles and floats. Judges will select winners in several categories based on creativity and adherence to this year’s theme: Rockin’ with the Rescuers, a celebration of first responders.
The festival also offers the Holiday Gift Bazaar, for getting the shopping season started right. A popular feature of the bazaar is the online auction of handcrafted ornaments. More than 60 local artists created original holiday ornaments starting from a blank ceramic mold. The finished pieces will be on display throughout the evening. The online auction went live Dec. 1; it will end at 9 p.m. on the night of Holiday Fest. The online auction is at 32auctions.com/ICC-2024.
New this year will be the Publix Holiday Sweet Shoppe, offering a selection of sweet treats and holiday-themed giveaways. A wide variety of food will also be available throughout the evening. Adults can sample food items, enjoy hot buttered rum, eggnog, and craft beer, or sip fine wines at the festival favorite Vino Village.
This year’s Holiday Fest ornament auction highlights local talent like Annmarie Anderson.
Anderson moved to the Keys in 1972 and studied art and interior design in Chicago before dedicating her career to painting. Known for her vibrant scenes of sparkling waters, tropical landscapes, and classic Conch houses, her work can be found in collections across the U.S. and internationally. She and her husband, Jimmy, live in Old Tavernier, where she paints at her studio, the Cottage on Coconut Row.
“The Keys’ beauty inspires every brushstroke,” Anderson said. “Creating this ornament for Holiday Fest allows me to share that love with our community.”
Catch Anderson’s latest creation and more than 60 other unique ornaments by visiting the online auction at www.32auctions.com/ICC-2024. The auction goes live at noon on Sunday, Dec. 1, and ends at 9 p.m. on the night of Holiday Fest, Friday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 10 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Founders Park.
Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to drop off at the event entrance. The toys will be collected by the Islamorada Fire Department and distributed to local children and families in need, spreading holiday cheer throughout the Upper Keys.
To make your experience even more convenient, a free shuttle will run from Coral Shores High School to Founders Park from 5 to 10 p.m.
Holiday Fest organizers are working to go green and minimize the impact of the event on the environment. They encourage attendees to bring non-glass reusable beverage containers to reduce waste and protect the Keys ecosystem.
