OUTLOOK - The totals have been tallied up, and this year's Winter Wonderland drive-thru event was not only another smash hit with the public, but it also raised a significant amount of money.
Significant based on the fact that the admission collected at the gates of the Outlook & District Regional Park was purely by a donation towards the park, the event has drawn impressive totals year in and out since it began in 2020.
Held from December 13-23, the event drew large crowds for not only the walk-through evenings, but also for the drive-thru portion as cars were routinely seen rolling through the impressive exhibits.
Park administrator Kaitlyn Gifford was happy with how this past December's event went and was glad that all the decorations were such a hit with people.
"The first two walking tour nights went very well!" she said. "We had warm weather, and people seemed to really enjoy the hot chocolate, warm up fires, and horse drawn carriage rides, which we had for the first time this year, sponsored by Lumber Plus and the RM of Rudy."
Gifford is also grateful for the Town 小蓝视频 there when conditions due to weather proved to be a bit of a challenge.
"As always, everyone who decorated campsites did an amazing job," she said. "I am so thankful to everyone who signs up to take part, it is a lot of work during an already busy time, so it is very, very appreciated! Also, we dealt with some tricky weather and road conditions during the week this year, but Luke (Lockhart) and his crew kept the roads clear and safe during the event."
After totaling up the dollars from gate donations, Gifford revealed that this year's Winter Wonderland collected a grant total of $6,948.60. Adding the newest total together with the funds collected since the event began in 2020, the fan favorite Outlook event has raised a total of $45,681.52, all of which is put right back into the operations of the regional park.
Now, with Christmas wrapped up for another year, Gifford is turning her attention to other projects in the park, including an initiative designed to get the community involved with ideas and input, as well as a summertime event that's sure not to be missed.
"The major project we are working on right now is our Pool-Fill Project & donations will go towards this project," she explained. "And, we actually just got the pool filled! We hired Wright Construction to haul in the dirt for us. But, we still have lots of work ahead to make it into a new, functioning facility. I'm busy planning, and applying for grants and sponsorship for this project. This summer, we plan on hosting our first-ever cabaret which will be a fundraiser for the pool-fill project, as well. Friday, July 11th we will have the country band 'Restless Texas' come to the park, and we'll have a good old party with food, drinks and music! We will have tickets available in the not so distant future, and hope that we can get lots of people out for a great summer night."
