Winterfest brings Christmas zest to Pikeville

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - If city officials have their way, Pikeville will soon be a live action snow globe.

Crews have been hard at work to kick of this year’s Winterfest, with the popular ice skating attraction in the park, trees and decorations lining the streets, and more new events to celebrate Christmas.

“Christmas is a time in Pikeville we take great pride in. We worked very hard all year long preparing for it. And I hope you see the fruits of that in the downtown area especially,” said City Manager Philip Elswick.

While the usual ice rink and decorations are ready for visitors, the newest addition on Bob Amos Drive, is expected to give families a little more light this year- with an animated lights show.

Most of the attractions kick off this weekend when Winterfest gets its first skaters on the ice, as officials and business owners invite them downtown for shopping and seasonal fun on Shop Small Saturday.

“So, we’ve got that, we’ve got Letters to Santa that day. Winterfest ice skating opens on Saturday, November 27, carriage rides,” said Minta Trimble, the Main Street Director. “It’s just a fun-filled day, like I said, of festivities downtown.”

Carriage rides are being offered through Muddy Boots, LLC, and other pop-up events, like pictures with Santa are on the calendar for the weeks to come.

“We’re making this day an exciting time for shopping local,” said Trimble.

Saturday’s timeline will offer a little something for everyone throughout the day. As Winterfest kicks off in the park, Shop Small Saturday begins at 10 a.m. The Red Bag booth will be set up on Second Street for the first 100 shoppers to get $10 in “downtown dollars”- those dollars can then be redeemed at one of the local stores as an incentive for shopping small.

The booth will also serve as a place to bring your receipts to enter into a drawing later in the day, for a chance to win $100 or more.

At noon, the Storybook Walk begins, allowing people a chance to take guided tours through the downtown stores, hearing a Christmas story while simultaneously taking part in a bear scavenger hunt.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. The lights at Bob Amos will fire up the same night and will be open through December 31.

The Appalachian Center for the Arts is preparing for a performance of “A Christmas Story” December 10-19. Santa is coming to town for pictures on December 18, Elsa is visiting You, Me & Pottery the same day, and more events are expected in the weeks to come.

Elswick said it is all about providing opportunities for families to enjoy Christmas downtown, while keeping their money cycling through the community.

“The Christmas season is so important for our businesses and their ability to kind of weather the year of what’s been a tough time because of the pandemic,” he said.

He hopes to see the attractions grow in the years to come, but is proud to invite everyone for a little winter magic at Winterfest.

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