BERKELEY – Although the temperature wasn’t anywhere near freezing, hundreds of residents came out to the first ever Winterfest held on the football field near Veterans Park.
In fact, the nice weather meant that more people would come to enjoy the event. A portable ice rink, made up of individual plastic tiles smoothly linked together, was a highlight of the day. Kids donned skates and made their way around the rink. Some used a prop to keep themselves balanced.
Local groups like the Berkeley Township Historical Society, Recreation Department, and first responders had tables to let people know what they do and how to get involved. Speakers blared upbeat music and at one point – perhaps intentionally – played a song from the movie “Frozen.”
Inflatables with a winter theme dominated one half of the field. You could buy a ride bracelet for unlimited turns. Kids were pulling their parents by the hand to the next activity.
The field was in great shape. Families claimed spots, spreading out blankets like a picnic. They picked up fair favorites like kettle corn or funnel cakes and brought them back to their spots. There were also food trucks selling such things as pizza, empanadas and arepas. These were set up by the entrance so you were surrounded by these delicious aromas when you walked in.
Katelynn Stanfield was carrying around a puppy named Gizmo. She and her family just moved to Ocean County. “For me, it gave the kids a chance to run around, get out and make friends,” she said.
Her daughter said her favorite part of the fest was face painting, as she looked up at her mom expectantly. Her face wasn’t painted yet, but she was cleverly using a reporter’s question to entice her mother to bring her to the face painter.
