Winter Wonderfest 2021

I know what’s Next in the

real estate market

NextHome Tomorrow Realty

20028 John J. Williams Hwy., Lewes, DE
cell 302.236.9229 • main 302.601.4171

nexthometomorrowrealty.com

ErinAnn Beebe

Realtor / Associate Broker

2 | EWacIhNoTfficEeRis WindOepNenDdeEntRlyFoEwnSeTd a2n0d 2op1erated

WINTER WONDERFEST LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT

Previously published in the Winter 2021 issue of road in Delaware. It has exploded much quicker than
Delaware Beach Life, delawarebeachlife.com we thought it would. The move to Hudson Fields was
really a game-changer for us because it provided us
Driving along Route 1 after the sun sets in No- so much exposure.”
vember and December, it’s hard not to become a
distracted driver when passing by Hudson Fields. Despite that growth, the COVID-19 pandemic has
There, thousands of red, white and green holiday forced organizers to scale back again, eliminating
lights twinkle brightly against the night sky. some popular attractions included in past years such
as the carnival and the ice skating rink. But plenty is
Since Winter WonderFEST began at Cape Henlopen still offered. In addition to more than a mile of light-
State Park in 2016, the light spectacular has come ed displays, there will be hayrides, Christmas trees
to attract more than 80,000 people throughout the for sale, and car-side food and beverage service.
holiday season. The growing demand is what drove
organizers to Hudson Fields, where there’s more For Mark Banaszak, working at the event is a family
space to expand the philanthropic community light affair. Briccotto is his stepson, so he jokingly refers
show and holiday celebration. to himself as a “voluntold” instead of a volunteer.

The lights brightening the eastern Sussex sky have “I didn’t really get a choice, but I think I would have
attracted international visitors by providing an made the choice to be there,” he says, noting that his
added reason to visit the Delaware beaches in the wife, Carla, was a national-level roller-skater and his
off-season, says WonderFEST Event Director Peter stepson was a national-level ice skater. The mother-
Briccotto. The influx of attendees boosts local and-son duo also have coaching experience, and
businesses and the tourism economy, while proceeds brought those skills to past Winter WonderFESTs.
from the event are largely given back to community
organizations. Building and maintaining the ice rink has always
been Banaszak’s specialty, but he’s helped wherever
At its inception, “we started just a community light needed, from hayrides to manning ticket booths.
show with the goal of having a community gathering Since he’s been involved from the start, Banaszak
place,” Briccotto says. Despite the changes since has come to think of some returning attendees
then, the festival has retained “a very down-home as old friends: “You get to know kids and families
feel,” he adds. throughout the area and the community. That’s my
biggest takeaway: That even if they come out for one
In the event’s five years, the number of lights have night, they’re contributing to their own community.
doubled, and the 2021 iteration will debut a new, Secondly, it’s just straight-up fun.”
permanent “Small Wonder” exhibit with nods to such
iconic coastal Delaware landmarks as the Indian Last year’s scaled-down event benefited from about
River Inlet bridge, the Delaware Breakwater East 100 volunteers contributing more than 3,000 hours,
End Lighthouse near Lewes, the iconic Dolle’s sign according to Briccotto. (In past years, upwards
and the World War II towers along the shore. of 300 volunteers have helped set up and run the
show.) Even at its reduced size, WonderFEST 2020
Briccotto says he was new to the area when he was still able to give back $50,000 to the community
pitched his idea for a holiday light show to local busi- through grants. Over the years, the event has raised
ness leaders back in 2015. One of the first people and disbursed $205,000 to more than two dozen
he approached was John Snow, a founding member organizations and individuals.
and director of Community Bank Delaware and a
partner in Highway One, the corporation that owns “Folks assume there’s a big corporation at the top
the Rusty Rudder, Bottle & Cork and other Dewey collecting all this money, but that’s not the case,”
Beach businesses. Snow was all in — and took on the Briccotto says. “We want to maintain a tradition,
role of president of Festival of Cheer, the nonprofit which is challenging enough, but we also want to
organization that puts on Winter WonderFEST — make sure we’re giving back to our community. And
but on one condition: That there would be a carnival it’s all for a great cause.”
at the end of the light display, like one he had visited
in nearby Virginia many times before. Maddy Lauria is a local freelance writer and photographer
based in Dover, Del., whose work has appeared in Delaware
“The event, when it started, was at the end of a Beach Life, the Cape Gazette, Delaware Online/The News
dead-end street at the park. We had no ‘drive-by’ Journal, USA Today, Lancaster Farming and more. See more of
visitors,” Snow recalls. “Now we’re on the busiest her work at maddylauria.com.

WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 3

New!

graciously thanks the donors of our capital
campaign to create the NEW Small Wonder
Exhibit in our Light Spectacular!

These displays celebrate landmarks
& the spirit of the Delaware Beach
Region and will be enjoyed
for many WonderFEST
seasons to come!

4 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021

WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 5

2021 GRANT2021 GRANT RECIPRECIPIENTS IENTS
Thanks to record breaking attendance during our 2020

Thanks to record breaking attendance duringseason, over $50,000 was directly donated to Sussex our 2020
County charities that serve our community!

season, over $50,000 wasLewes Rehoboth Association of Churches -d$3,i70r0 ectly donated to Sussex
County charities that serve our community!Support the purchase of shopping carts, shopping baskets, storage, and merchandising

containers for their thrift store.

Primeous Pesos Early Learning Center - $2,500
Support the purchase of computers for the classroom


Rehoboth Community Band - $3,500
LEWES REHOBOTH ASSOCIATIONSupport the purchase of a tuba
OF CHURCHES - $3,700
shopping carts,Possum Point Players - $1,200
Support the purchase of shoppingoutdoor performances
baskets, storage, and merchandising
Support the purchase of PA system for
containers for their thrift store.Milton Theatre - $5,000

Support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment to increase their concession offerings

Make a Wish - $5,000
Fund a Wish for a Sussex County child


PRIMEROS PESOS EARLY LEARNING CENTER - $2,500Lewes Community Gardens - $1,400
Fund the completion of their handicap accessibility project


Support the purchase of computers for the classroomHarry K Foundation - $3,000
Support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment for their Mobile Pantry Program


Developing Artists Collaboration - $5,000
Fund the completion of their West Rehoboth Mural


REHOBOTH COMMUNITY BAND - $3,500Children’s Beach House - $5,000
Support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment

RonaldSupportMcDonald House - the$5,000 purchase of a tuba
Support the furnishing of rooms utilized by Sussex County Patients


POSSUM POINT PLAYERS - $1,200
Support the purchase of PA system for outdoor performances

MILTON THEATRE - $5,000
Support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment to increase their concession offerings

MAKE A WISH - $5,000
Fund a Wish for a Sussex County child

LEWES COMMUNITY GARDENS - $1,400
Fund the completion of their handicap accessibility project

HARRY K FOUNDATION - $3,000
Support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment for their Mobile Pantry Program

DEVELOPING ARTISTS COLLABORATION - $5,000
Fund the completion of their West Rehoboth Mural

CHILDREN’S BEACH HOUSE - $5,000
Support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE - $5,000
Support the furnishing of rooms utilized by Sussex County Patients

BEEBE MEDICAL FOUNDATION - $5,000
Support the purchase of lung examination equipment

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER - $2,500
Purchase of computer equipment for resource center

6 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021

6

6Tis’ the season...
FOR NEW WELLBORN CABINETS
6

GIVE YOURSELF
FOOD SHOULDN’T BE THE ONLY

A GIFT THAT WILLTASTEFUL THING IN YOUR KITCHEN.

Give everyone an eyeful before you ever serve a meal. With custom cabinetry and
countertops from American Cedar and Millwork, you can have a beautiful new modern

LAST FOR YEARS!kitchen that is both stunning and functional.

Contact us today to find out how to get a kitchen that will be the talk of everyone

6around the table.

Visit millwork1.com or stop by one of our showrooms to speak with a design consultant.
6Wishing you a joyous holidayLEWES,DE
MILLERSVILLE, MD MILLWORK1.COM
6season & cheer in the New Year6!(302)645-9580(410) 987-6800

Lewes, DE (302) 645-9580 | Millersville, MD (410) 987-6800 | Millwork1.com
WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 7

8 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021

WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 9

NOW OFFERING INFRARED SAUNA & BEMER THERAPY!

SELF-CARE CLUB $59: JOIN TODAY & RECEIVE AN ADD'L SERVICE ($50 VALUE!)*

*CALL FOR DETAILS - TERMS APPLY

Floatation Therapy Infrared Sauna BEMER Therapy
Wellness Pod
Manage Pain and Improve Circulation and
Improve Sleep Infrared Heat, Muscle Health
Weight Management

[email protected] | 302.232.3141
WWW.URBANFLOAT.COM

Home Improvement & Remodeling

Delaware & Sussex County

Remodeler of the Year

CALL US TODAY! 302-645-9008

onecallservices.biz | 32477 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy, Lewes

10 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021

Dr. Jessica DiCerbo, Give your children
BSN, DMD the Gift of a Lifetime!

Board Certified Developing good dental health habits at an early
age, including scheduling regular dental visits,
Pediatric Dentist helps children get a good start on a lifetime of

healthy teeth and gums.

“Great staff, short wait
times, very kid-friendly!”

“Highly recommended
Pediatric Dentistry in the

RB area. Very efficient
staff, remarkably clean
office and very friendly
kid atmosphere. Doctor
DiCerbo is amazing too”

“Such an awesome CALL 302-644-4460 for an appointment.
place to take your child. www.coastalkidspd.com
The thing that I am the
most impressed with is
the staff! They love kids
and know how to talk to
them and make them

feel at ease”

Located in The Medical Arts Building
18947 John J Williams Hwy., Suite 309, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 11

12 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021

WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 13

Home Furnishings
Custom Designs

Accessories
OCEAN VIEW
31874 Roxana Rd.
302.539.6989

LEWES
97 Tulip Drive
302.645.6200

creativeconceptsfurniture.com

14 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021

Juminpto the Holidays
WITH US!

OPEN ▶ Groups & Parties
EVERY DAY! ▶ Events & Classes
▶ Trampolines
SUNDAY – THURSDAY ▶ Arcade
▶ Virtual Reality
10AM - 8PM ▶ Kid Zone

FRIDAY – SATURDAY AND MORE!

10AM - 10PM

32295 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy • Lewes, DE
302.827.4453 | shellwebounce.com

WINTER WONDERFEST 2021 | 15

16 | WINTER WONDERFEST 2021