IN PICTURES: ISLAMORADA’S HOLIDAY FEST TRANSFORMS FOUNDERS PARK INTO A MAGICAL WINTER WONDERLAND

a group of people posing for a picture with a santa clause
A family gets a picture with Santa.

Kids flocked to an unfamiliar sight — a mountain of snow — as parents looked on during the 21st annual Holiday Fest at Islamorada’s Founders Park on Dec. 5. Organized by the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, the fun-filled evening included visits among families and their kids with Santa Claus and pictures by the towering Christmas tree. Young tykes also spent time doing arts and crafts and decorating cookies courtesy of Publix Supermarket. At the amphitheater, dancers from On Your Toes Dance Studio wowed the crowd. Food trucks kept hungry patrons filled, while vendors showcased their goods as the perfect holiday gift. Ornaments decorated by local artists were on display and up for bid throughout the evening.

a group of people standing on top of a pile of snow
a group of people posing for a picture with a santa clause
A family gets a picture with Santa.
a group of children playing in a water fountain
a group of people on a stage performing a dance
a man in a police uniform waves to the crowd
a man and a woman standing in front of a table

Photos by Jackson Garcia/Keys Weekly and Doug Finger/Keys Weekly

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.