THE MAKING OF WINTER WONDERLAND
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH REALIZE BRADENTON
By NICOLE MISKOVIC
Winter Wonderland is returning to Old Main Street this year, promising another magical holiday experience filled with twinkling lights, festive activities, and seasonal surprises.
At the heart of this transformation is the Realize Bradenton team – led by the organization’s event manager, Kristie Kindstrom – who has poured passion and creativity into every detail to ensure the 2024 Winter Wonderland will be bigger, brighter, and more enchanting.
Last year, the Realize Bradenton team crafted an immersive Winter Wonderland experience on Old Main Street. Drawing inspiration from the event’s long-standing traditions, they elevated the holiday atmosphere through strategic uplighting and thoughtfully arranged décor. Partnering with local AV specialists Sights and Sounds, the team installed over 80 light canisters around trees and under awnings to produce an inviting winter themed scene. The combination of uplighting, twinkle lights, and artificial snow created the perfect winter backdrop, transforming the event into a photo-worthy holiday gathering that set the stage for this year’s event.
Coordinating the Chaos: The Setup
As we take a peek behind the curtain, it’s evident that the setup of Winter Wonderland is nothing short of a marathon. Following the conclusion of the public market at 2 p.m., the Realize Bradenton team has precisely two hours to set up for the big event. To streamline the process, the setup is divided into “Polar Zones” along Old Main Street, each filled with holiday décor and brought to life by detailed planning, efficient communication, and dedicated volunteers.
“It’s an undertaking that requires a moving
company, moving trucks, careful coordination and communication, and of course, dozens of amazing volunteers,” Kindstrom said.
This year, the organization has enlisted Weber Scenic, a company known for its
elaborate holiday designs, to help create the whimsical look of each Polar Zone. From holiday cutouts to candy canes and elves, the goal is to make each zone a unique winter vignette for attendees to explore, photograph, and spend time in.
Old Traditions & New Twists
This year, we can expect to see fan favorites as well as new surprises. The snow slide will be one of the more notable things to make its return. Our community’s very own Santa D is also back by popular demand, this time joined by Mrs. Claus.
Photo credit: Jeremy Piper
Festive Finds at the Holiday Market
Winter Wonderland wouldn’t be complete without its night market, where local artisans, businesses, and vendors bring to their tables an assortment of goods tailored to become perfect holiday gifts. Among them is Bat City Comic Professionals, one of the many nonprofits partnering with Realize Bradenton to bring the event to life.
Bat City Comic Professionals. Photo by Jeremy Piper
Known for using comics to teach young people reading, writing, and imaginative skills, Bat City is returning this year with activities that inspire creativity, along with festive storytelling, all designed to make the booth a welcoming place for the whole community.
“Participating in events like Winter Wonderland gives us a chance to be directly in the heart of our city surrounded by the people that make it great,” said Shannon, co-founder of Bat City Comics. “We’re thrilled to bring something a little unexpected to Winter Wonderland this year with exclusive items you can’t find anywhere else. We’re decking it out with holiday decorations to make it as fun and festive as possible.”
The Bat City team hopes that events like this will continue making Bradenton a place for families to gather, relax, and celebrate together, as well as discover new perspectives and connections. “We want Bat City to be a place where you can make friends who feel like family and discover new things about yourself and the world around you.”
Visit Wonderland
For Realize Bradenton, Winter Wonderland embodies the organization’s mission of creating shared experiences and bringing the community together.
“We’re all about intentionally activating space,” Kindstrom said. “Old Main Street can look ordinary most days, but for Winter Wonderland, we’re transforming it into something extraordinary for people to enjoy.”
Winter Wonderland will light up Old Main Street on Saturday, December 14, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. You can also visit www.RealizeBradenton.com to explore other events happening in the Bradenton community.
