Snow Fest returns to Safety Harbor this Saturday, Dec. 5
By 
One of the more popular dates on the Safety Harbor special events calendar returns this weekend following a one-year hiatus.
Safety Harbor Snow Fest 2015, featuring a man-made snow ramp and other holiday related activities, takes place this Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Safety Harbor City Park. Admission is free.
The previous Snow Fest organizers cancelled the 2014 event after six years when the nonprofit reportedly went out of business. So this year, longtime Safety Harbor resident Amber Lundgren and her family decided to continue the popular holiday tradition.
“I grew up here and I always knew Snow Fest was a great community event,” Lundgren told Safety Harbor Connect. “So I knew if the opportunity ever came up, we’d want to jump in and pick it up.”
Lundgren said Snow Fest 2015 will serve as a fundraiser for the Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer research.
Lundrgren, whose young son recently passed away from an aggressive form of cancer, said the purpose of the event is to raise money to fund a pediatric cancer research grant.
“We hope to raise $20,000 this year and $50,000 next year, when we have more time to organize the event,” she explained, noting that while Snow Fest 2016 has already been scheduled with the City, she’s only had about six weeks to plan this year’s event.
“This is not about us or our family,” she added. “This is something we wanted to do for our community and for pediatric cancer research.”
In continuing the event’s tradition, Lundgren said Snow Fest 2015 will combine some things old and some things new.
In addition to a 10-foot high ice slide with multiple lanes, a play area where it “snows” every 15 minutes, and a snowman building area, Snow Fest 2015 will feature *a Frozen-themed meet & greet, where kids can get their pictures taken with their favorite characters from the hit Disney movie, plus bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, concessions and more. (*Note: These additional attractions charge small fees.)
Beer and wine will be available for purchase this year, as well as food from Brady’s Backyard BBQ and other area restaurants. Also, Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance on the back of a Safety Harbor fire truck.
Lundgren said that she hopes the immense support her family has received, both in organizing the festival and during their difficult time, translates to a fun, family friendly event that brings the community together and benefits a great cause.
“Snow Fest 2015 has the potential of not only impacting the lives of those in attendance, but can also impact so many children with pediatric cancer,” Lundgren said. “So please join us on December 5.”
For more information on the 2015 Safety Harbor Snow Fest, visit Facebook.com/SnowFest2015.
Related content:
- Snow Fest event scheduled for this Saturday has been cancelled
- 2013 Safety Harbor Snow Fest photo gallery
- Safety Harbor Happenings: 2015 Special Events Calendar
This was a complete FLOP. Everyone on Main Street was asking where to go. There was no signs and the Google map clearly states that there is NO safety harbor park (there’s 12 parks) but none called only Safety Harbor Park. Myself along with about 300 other aimlessly walking pedestrians looking for this venue all around the gazebo. Finally a passer-by says hey never mind the snow truck is broke and the line for snow is about an hour and a half. REALLY ? I DROVE 27 MILES FOR THIS? My first and last experience with safety Horror
it would be nice if someone emailed me something back to show a little respect and at least of thanks, if I don’t get anything in return then I will know that no one really cares and I might have to take further action with the city of Safety Harbor thank you
this was the worst event I’ve ever been to in my life me and my family and friends waited in line for 2 hours, while people were cutting us and nothing was being done about it while volunteers and police officers just stood there and watched. when I asked what was going on the only thing they could come up with was it just disorganized please hang in there. I know it was for a good cause, and I was even told that someone died and that I should just back off. that’s not really the way I would have handled it putting that burden on people that are coming to have a good time. I was disrespected my kids were bored and tired of waiting in line just to pay $60 and have to wait in more lines that were two hours long. and then we got charged extra to go on rock climbing walls and other things that they said were included with your wristband. I even stepped up and volunteered to shovel snow on the icy downhill because there was one young man trying to do that by himself while little kids were flying through the air with no one to catch them at the bottom. after all that weighttimeand all the aggravation,we were so fed up that we headed for our car. and then as I was leaving I noticed there were about 75 parents and kids inside the skatepark with no helmet or any pads running all over the place. you are very lucky that you had someone like me there to tell everybody to get out of the park, the skate park area that is. two parents tried to fight me asking me who I was, and I just nicely told them that no one is allowed to be in here without a helmet. then when I was walking away. I noticed some volunteer standing there that were doing nothing about it and I asked them if they could help me as they stood there and looked at each other funny. so I walked over to a gentleman in a cart that looked like he maintenance the park, and asked him if he could lock the gate before somebody got really really hurt on the big Ranch ramps. I probably saved the Safety Harbor Park from getting sued. I just went there to have a good time and ended up arguing with your staff and helping make sure that all the people we’re safe.I was so disappointed and angry deep down inside while I had to hold it in for my kids not to see, but I know they knew what was happening anyhow. I am very disgusted about the way things were handled and the disorganization of your team and your staff. the only thing good about it was that it was for a good cause and that the band was playing good music. other than that it was a nightmare. Sincerely Yoursa hard working taxpayerWilliam Karen stencil the third it said William cannon Stan move.
Thank you for the kind words about the band! We were just happy to help out and play for everyone. I’m sure they appreciated your assistance during the event! No one wants to see injuries or lost kids. We wish the organizers and families the very best. Again, we’re glad you enjoyed the music. Merry Christmas!
I applaud the Lundgren family for managing their grief in this positive way. Please publish details so those of us who are unable to attend can still donate.