Free No More? Winterfest Popularity Creates Need For Fundraiser

Hartford’s annual Winterfest celebration has drawn so much interest this year that festival organizers are looking to raise more money to ensure they can keep attractions free of charge. On Friday, the iQuilt Partnership and City of Hartford will host a fundraiser at Salute Restaurant in Hartford, right by Bushnell Park.

The festival is part of a broader urban design effort by the iQuilt Partnership–a nonprofit coalition of several downtown groups–to revitalize the city and make it a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly place. Winterfest seems to serve that purpose. The ice rink, open through the end of January, has drawn over 40,000 skaters so far, nearly the amount from the entire season last year.

“With more visitors, come more ice skates, more photos with Santa and more rink staffing,” said fundraiser hosts in the event announcement, asking for support to keep Winterfest “free of charge for 2013 and beyond.”  The event is Friday from  5:30 to 7:00. Tickets are $20 ahead of time or $25 at the door.