Last year, the South Carolina State Museum began a new holiday tradition. Winter Fest, a three-week long celebration of the winter season, kicks off Saturday, Dec. 13, with the Jack Frost Jubilee from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Guests will enjoy musical performances from area schools, hayrides, seasonal crafts, a multicultural celebration of the winter holidays, and some special guests.
Students from Logan Elementary and Leaphart Elementary schools will entertain with seasonal music throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m.
In addition, “we are very excited about our multicultural celebration of the winter holidays,” said Director of Education and Programs Meika Samuel. “Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about various holidays and customs that may not be familiar.” Sancta Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) and Chinese New Year will be represented.
Also dropping by on Dec. 13 will be the Chick-Fil-A cow and the nine-foot inflatable deputy from the Richland County Sheriff’s office at 11 a.m. Santa Claus, the “right jolly old elf” himself, will make the first of three appearances at Winter Fest that day with special hayrides rides ($1 per person)around the museum building from 1 – 4 p.m. He’ll be back to spread holiday cheer on Dec. 20 and 23.
Winter Fest continues Sunday, Dec. 14 with a special holiday concert by gospel singers Rhodann Richardson and Remnant at 3 p.m. The American Society of Foresters will offer eco-friendly holiday crafts from 1 – 4 p.m.
Other highlights of Winter Fest include All About Animals Day on Tuesday, Dec. 16 and “Happy Healthy Holidays” on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Riverbanks Zoo will present “This is My Home” at the museum on Dec. 16 at
11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., providing an up close view of how animals prepare their homes for winter.
On Dec. 18, Sparky the Fire Dog from the City of Columbia Fire Department and “Zip It” from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources boater education program will be on hand to greet guests. At 1 p.m., the South Carolina fire marshal will present a puppet show on dragons. Plus, the Palmetto Center for Advocacy, whose message is Obesity Prevention, will do height and weight screenings and BMI calculation.
Find out what’s so great about winter as the Puppet Playhouse performs “Celebrate Winter,” at noon and 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Sonoco will offer eco-friendly crafts that day also at 2 and 2:45 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 23, children and their parents can celebrate winter school break with Don’t Be a Grinch Day. “Families can join us for an afternoon of Grinch crafts, a reading of Dr. Seuss’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ followed by a showing of the classic cartoon,” said Samuel, “topped off by cookies and punch with two very special visitors.”
The Museum also will present winter StarLabs during Winter Fest. These 30- minute portable planetarium shows ($3 per person) focus on seasons, constellations and moon phases. StarLabs will be presented on Dec. 18, 20, 23, 27, 29, 30 and 31.
In addition, special holiday movies will be offered every day from Dec. 14 through Jan. 4. Partnering with South Carolina ETV, the State Museum will offer a selection of short seasonal films every day at 2 p.m.
Winter Fest continues through Sunday, Jan. 4. For more information and a full schedule of events, call (803) 898-4952 or visit www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org.
Children’s choirs will be only a part of the fun when the South Carolina State Museum kicks off three weeks of seasonal fun Saturday, Dec. 13 with the Jack Frost Jubilee, the opening day of Winter Fest. The day also will include hayrides, seasonal crafts, a multicultural celebration of international winter holidays and a visit from the “right jolly old elf,” Santa Claus.
Photo by Susan Dugan/courtesy S.C. State Museum