Elkhart's Winter Festival returns
ELKHART, Ind -- The city of Elkhart celebrated their 5th annual Winter Festival featuring holiday events in downtown Elkhart, one of which being the ugly sweater run.
"We came here to skate and have fun, and then after this we’re going to go watch the parade, and light show and then we’re going to go watch a movie at The Lerner," said participants Maddie and Louisa.
2020 would have made five years of the beloved winter festival but due to COVID, 2021 is the year the community gets to come out and enjoy each other for a full day of activities.
One of them being the ugly sweater run.
The run put together by the Elkhart education foundation to provide for Elkhart schools.
"So, the Elkhart education foundation fills in the budgetary gaps for Elkhart schools. We support great innovative ideas in the classroom extracurricular opportunities for kids. Basically, just provide innovative opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom for kids to learn and grow," said Executive Director of Elkhart Education Foundation Ashley Moltneaux.
"I mean it’s all about the kids. I mean we want to have fun and help raise money but, well and tacky sweaters of course," said Winter Festival participant Lara Perry.
With the creativity, Saturday we may have seen the tackiest of tacky sweaters.
"The ugly leg lamp from a Christmas story. All goodwill stuffs. Piece it together at home. Spray-paint on the back fragile," said Winter Festival participant Scott Perry.
Following the run was something many were waiting on the parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
"Parade’s coming up. We met Santa earlier today. This is the place to be right now," said Winter Festival participant Scott Perry.