Santa Sled Festival brings early Christmas to Plant City
The annual Santa Sled Festival provided hundreds of families with toys, bicycles, groceries, turkeys and clothing. The Dec. 16 event was hosted by Plant City Black Heritage and the Class of ’86 and was held at Marie B. Ellis Park.
Those who wished to receive a gift from Santa registered in advance. Over 200 families were served and approximately 500 people attended.
Sharon Moody, president of Plant City Black Heritage and coordinator of Santa Sled Festival, said the event went very well at its new location, which provided much more room for the festivities.
“The highlight of the day was the parents were so thankful for all that the employees gave them,” Moody said. “Some of them cried, they were just so thankful because they didn’t know how they were going to get their kids gifts. They were so worried, but we make sure those kids get more than they ask for every year.”
The event has steadily been growing for years and Moody said without their sponsors and volunteers, it wouldn’t be possible.
C&S Grocery Warehouse adopted five families and bought them everything on their wish lists. Moody said the company brought a semi truck full of items. The Kiwanis Club gave over 1500 toys to the other kids in attendance. Marshall Middle School Gentlemen’s Quest and Builder’s Club donated a bike and Taylor Rental donated tables for the event. Members of the Plant City High Key Club spent their day volunteering for the festival.
Shine on
Walden Lake’s annual Christmas light contest has come to a close. A group of third party judges drove through the many neighborhoods to evaluate which entrance was the most traditional, whimsical and illuminated.
After much deliberation the judges decided the grand prize would go to Wedgewood. In the traditional category, first place went to Clubhouse Wood, second place went to Silver Lake and third place Hampton Place.
In the whimsical category, first place went to Westwood, second place went to Silverstone and third place went to the Paddocks. In the illumination categories, first place went to Charleston Woods, second place went to Eagle Green and third place went to Aston Woods.
Holidays at the ‘Y
The Plant City Family YMCA is offering a fun and festive getaway for local youth over Christmas break. Registration for the Schools Out Holiday Camp at the ‘Y will cover both weeks of Christmas break. Call the welcome center at 813-757-6677 or sign up online at TampaYMCA.org.
The winter holiday campers will enjoy crafts, games, field trips, swimming and other activities. The YMCA aims to provide character and confidence building programs that forge new relationships for all who step foot within its doors. Campers are encouraged to bring a packed lunch, snacks and a refillable water bottle. Campers need to be dressed to play all day.