As Families gathered for the eagerly awaited Winterfest celebration, hosted by the directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) on December 7th, the usually tranquil Long Parade Field transformed into a much-anticipated winter wonderland.
The celebration, which began several years ago as a two-hour prelude to the tree lighting, has grown considerably, and like most Garrison Family activities, was moved to the parade field for its central location among several housing villages. For the younger children, a regular Winterfest favorite ride was the colorful train, complete with locomotive and whistles, which would drove across the field and around 21st Street with its eager passengers. Another Family delight was the giant inflated snow globe, where children would toss snowballs and pose inside for photos.
As DJ Mike filled the field with high-energy holiday music, children piled brightly colored sprinkles on their cookies, glistening in the cold winter sunshine. Two tents over, the beloved cartoon characters Woody and Jessie from the animation film Toy Story were getting pictures and chatting with their young fans, and next door, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus had warm conversations with each child about the special morning to come.
The most chaotic spot was the snowball fight arena, where children, parents and friends hurled soft, fuzzy white balls at each other with complete abandon. One youngster was quite tactical, and stuffed her Christmas stocking with as many snowballs as she could gather, before launching a continuous barrage at anyone nearby. Some of the toddlers were oblivious to the flying snowballs, and instead chased bubbles that floated by.
There was also a caged trailer where adults safely threw axes at targets just 20 feet away, and a couple of 2-story bounce houses for toddler thrills.
A perfect winter treat at Winterfest was the fire pits, where Families purchased snack packs to make their own s’mores and wash it all down with steaming hot chocolate. The staffing of this event was extensive, and relied on many volunteers, according to Marshall Barnes, the director of Fort Belvoir Teen and Youth Center.
“We formed a partnership with Potomac High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), and they brought us 35 cadets that came here to help support Winterfest,” said Barnes. “It gets the kids talking about the [Fort Belvoir] Youth Center, and they also brought other kinds into the fold,” adding that they were briefed over pizza and care packages at the Youth Center before heading to parade field for their assigned duties.
Chief Warrant Officer Darry Fitzgerald is the Senior Naval Science instructor at Potomac High and agreed that this activity was a win-win for Families and these prospective Soldiers.
“They come every year to help out with this event, and for the cadets, it gets them both volunteer hours and community exposure on the installation” with active-duty service members and Families, Fitzgerald said.
One of the additions to this year’s Winterfest was something to carry back to the house. Trees For Troops, a nonprofit endeavor of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, donated 174 trees for Fort Belvoir Families to take home and add to the memories, according to Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Hopkins, who was on hand to help Families secure their tree on top of the vehicle for the drive home.
“Some families were able to get trees that didn't know they were going to be able to,” Hopkins said. “So, for us to offer that opportunity is just another amazing chance for our families, and for us to give back to the community.”
Last spring, in honor of Earth Day, Garrison teammates gathered to plant a Norwegian Fir tree, just a few yards from the 20-foot artificial tree. Still only about 12 feet high, a Winterfest tradition has grown out of the effort: everyone is invited to hang their own personal ornaments on the tree, as it continues to grow in the years ahead.
As winter darkness descended, Families migrated from the parade field to the Garrison Headquarters front lawn, treated by holiday standards from the Fort Belvoir Catholic Children’s Choir. Col. David Stewart, Garrison Commander, was on hand to help Santa light the holiday tree.
“Tonight, we kindle the spirit of the holidays with the lighting of this beautiful tree — a symbol of hope, unity, and the enduring light that guides us through even as we enter the darkest time of the year,” Stewart said, urging those present to remember service members and Families stationed abroad, far from family and home.
With eager assistance from the hundreds gathered around in the darkness, they counted down in unison as Santa, Stewart and Hopkins all raised the massive light switch on the lawn. With an admiring shout, the tree lit up, piercing the dark winter night.
Winterfest is now a memory, but it continued a tradition that not only brightens our surroundings but also fosters resilience, bridging our past with our present and fostering a shared sense of continuity and joy.
| Date Taken: | 12.30.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2024 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 488466 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Belvoir Families gather for Winterfest holiday kick off, by Paul Lara, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
