DISCOVER Magazine

NOVEMBER 25, 2017 | DISCOVER!
4 | Event
RYLAN HOWE | STAFF WRITER
At a Glance:
WHAT: Winterfest
WHERE: Hull, IA
WHEN: Nov. 29-Dec. 2
COST: Varies by event
CONTACT: 712-439-1513
ONLINE: www.hullchamber.org
Vendors
There are more than 40 vendors
signed up for Winterfest.
Here are about half of them:
B. Fierce Boutique
Hair on Hickory
Fleece Blankets
Tastefully Simple
LulaRoe
Lotus Blossom
Scentsy
Material Gals
Oh Joy Designs
Stella & Dot
Take 2 Creations
Lips & Hips
Walk by Faith Jewelry
The Bark Bakery
JR Watkins
Norwex
KT Sliders
Leusink Local Honey & Jam
Oh Joy Designs
Welcome to Winterfest
Annual event kicks off the season in Hull
It may still be November, but things
are beginning to look a lot like
Christmas. In Hull, that means
Winterfest, which includes a few new
activities for visitors to enjoy this year,
as well as the annual Craft & Vendor
Fair that anchors the weekend.
Kicking things off will be a new activity
with a bit of friendly competition.
Community Family Feud will take
place in the Boyden-Hull High School
auditorium on Wednesday, Nov. 29
at 7 p.m. Teams of five can sign up
to compete in the event based on
the popular television game show.
The event is a fundraiser for First Reformed
Church Youth Group.
“There are some great prizes and it
will be a fun night. Everyone is invited
to attend,” said Shelly Van Otterloo,
executive director of the Hull Area
Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, Nov. 30 through Saturday,
Dec. 2 there will be open houses
at Hull Chamber businesses and
shoppers can sign up for chances to
win chamber dollars.
Another new Winterfest event will
take place Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday,
Dec. 2. The Holiday Tour of Homes
will visit six homes in the area. Advance
tickets are $20 apiece with proceeds
going to Hull Christian School
Parents Circle.
Saturday is still the biggest day for
Winterfest. A day to kickstart Christmas
shopping and peruse the wares
on display from nearly 50 vendors at
the Hull Community Building gymnasium
from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
“It’s a great way to find unique,
one-of-a-kind gifts. There is everything
from commercial to homemade
items,” Van Otterloo said. “There will
also be a $50 vendor cash giveaway
every hour, $25 per person, to be
spent at the fair.”
Two more activities will be going on
at the community building as well.
The dining hall will host a fundraising
dinner from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and
will include soup, cinnamon rolls,
pulled pork sandwiches and more,
with proceeds benefitting the Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation.
In the basement of the community
building will be the Gingerbread
House Contest from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Registration is ready now for the
gingerbread contest. There is a variety
If you have a sweet tooth
that is a phenomenal stop
— so many goodies and
Christmas candies. It’s
super fun.
Shelly Van Otterloo
of categories and it’s just so fun to see
how creative people get with their
houses. People can vote for their favorite
and the winners are announced
at 1 p.m.,” Van Otterloo said.
To satisfy a sweet tooth, one needs
only to stroll through First Reformed
Church for the Christmas Cookie &
Candy Walk from 9 a.m.-noon.
Fill a bucket with sweet treats for
$12 per pound.
“If you have a sweet tooth that is a
phenomenal stop — so many goodies
and Christmas candies. It’s super fun,”
Van Otterloo said.
If the kids, or adults for that matter,
would like to see Santa Claus, then a
visit to Pizza Ranch will be in order.
New this year for Winterfest will be
Pizza Ranch Kids Day where visitors
will get a free kids buffet with purchase
of an adult buffet. The deal runs
from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with Santa and
Mrs. Claus making a visit as well.
This year there will also be three events
bringing Winterfest to a festive close.
The “Backporch Christmas” concert
features Doug Anderson at the Western
Christian Events Center at 6 p.m.
American Legion Bingo will take
place at 7 p.m. at the Legion Building
on Main Street.
And The Epic Escape will take place
at Boyden-Hull High School from 4-9
p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and
$10 for students with proceeds going
towards Boyden-Hull’s Dollars for
Scholars.
“There is truly something for all
ages Saturday throughout the day to
enjoy and get in the holiday spirit.
You can get started on shopping and
can enjoy the sound of Christmas,”
Van Otterloo said. “Winterfest is my
favorite time of year. The whole community
has its festive lights and you
see the holiday cheer in everyone. We
hope everyone can come enjoy this
celebration and fun time of year.” F
Hull | Iowa