This blog contains information about an event that has already passed. Please visit our calendar for a list of upcoming events happening in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County!
The City of Council Bluffs is hosting Winterfest at Bayliss Park on Friday, November 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Once again, the City of Council Bluffs is partnering with The Council Bluffs Public Library, Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE), The 712 Initiative, and Union Pacific Museum to deliver this holiday tradition.
“Winterfest is our annual tree lighting ceremony in Bayliss Park,” said Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh. “What started as a simple countdown in 2014 has become a one-of-a-kind festival of winter activities.”
The main event at Winterfest is the Bayliss Park Lighting Ceremony. At 6:00 p.m., Santa Claus and Mayor Walsh lead the crowd in a song of Jingle Bells followed by a countdown, after which Bayliss Park lights up with more than 40,000 twinkle lights, and the celebrations begin.
Santa Claus will report to his workshop, where kids and families can sit with Santa, tell him their wishes, and take pictures. Each child who visits Santa will receive a small gift.
Thanks to PACE, there will be live ice sculpting demonstrations at Winterfest and an arts and crafts tent for kids. The Council Bluffs Public Library is bringing real reindeer into Bayliss Park and offering reindeer-themed games. Union Pacific Museum will have lighted displays outside their building and life-sized board games and activities inside. The Salvation Army brass ensemble will fill the air with the sounds of the season as they perform live on the corner of Willow Avenue and Pear Street. The Salvation Army also provides free hot chocolate at Winterfest, and The 712 Initiative is standing up a hot chocolate toppings station. Thanks to The 712 Initiative, there will be a photo station again this year!
Additional free activities include face painting, balloon art, letters to Santa, crafts, multiple holiday photo cutouts, and an outdoor screening of the classic “Frosty the Snowman.”
Three new attractions are coming to Winterfest this year. As long as temperatures are below 32 degrees, Pottawattamie County Conservation will make snow with equipment from Mt. Crescent. The snow-making station will be located in the northeast portion of the park. It’s going to be snow much fun!
Also new this year are horse-drawn carriage rides and bike rides with the Grinch! One horse and a four-person carriage will give three-minute rides in a loop on 1st Avenue, on the north side of Bayliss Park. A Grinch riding a bike and pulling a four-person carriage will give rides along Pearl Street.
At the intersection of Pearl Street and Willow Ave will be a food truck food court featuring multiple vendors, including Johnny Ricco’s Brooklyn Pizza, Boxer BBQ, Teeny Weeny Wiener Wagon, Street Side Food, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Kona Ice, OCookieOs, and Sonrisers Kettle Corn. Tables and chairs will be set up so diners can enjoy the lighting displays as well as the live music.
Winterfest at Bayliss Park takes place on Friday, November 17, from 6 – 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early as the lighting ceremony will take place promptly at 6 p.m. The first 1,000 guests will receive a commemorative Winterfest at Bayliss Park tote bag.
“We hope you can join us for the moment Bayliss Park transforms into a wonderland and stay awhile to shop, dine, and enjoy the celebrations,” said Mayor Walsh.
