What is Winterfest?
Winterfest is Hamlin’s much-anticipated and festive annual event that celebrates community. Hamlin friends and family are invited to join us virtually on Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a fun-filled day for all ages with activities like Gingerbread Workshops, Book Fair, Student Ventures, & more!
What's new at Winterfest this year?
-We’re going virtual! The pandemic won’t stop us from gathering in a virtual winter wonderland to take part in all of our favorite Winterfest traditions.
-No registration required for activities! See below for more details on what is being offered and how to participate.
-No Upper Crust pie sales, Wags & Whiskers, or Lower School/Middle School Lounges due to virtual logistics constraints. Stay tuned for more info on these activities at future Winterfests.
What activities will take place at Winterfest this year?
Marketplace
We’ve got a great variety of vendors who are eager to share their wares with you! There are three ways you can participate and support local businesses while also supporting our school:
-Online Shopping: November 30 through December 13. Browse our vendors on the Marketplace page and then use the code “Hamlin2020” when purchasing items through their websites.
-Virtual Trunk Shows: Vendors will be offering virtual trunks shows during Winterfest so you can check out their wares without even leaving your home! Check out the Marketplace page for a schedule and links to the shows.
-In-Person Shopping: Check our Marketplace page for when local vendors will be offering in-store shopping dates for the Hamlin community.
Virtual Book Fair
Winterfest is again partnering with Books Inc. to bring the hottest titles and writers to the Hamlin community with Virtual Author Visits, Zoom Book Talks, and a Virtual Book Fair from November 30 through December 13. Click on the Book Fair tab for more info!
*Books Inc. will donate up to 20% of all sales back to Hamlin.
Student Ventures
Student Ventures provides an opportunity for students in Grades 3-8 to create and develop a product, market and sell this product, and learn about entrepreneurship and non-profit businesses. Our student entrepreneurs will sell their products on a Hamlin sponsored site for a two week period at the end of November and early December. The girls will be giving back to Hamlin by donating 10% of their sales directly to Hamlin. The remainder of their proceeds will be for the student entrepreneurs to re-invest in their “company”, repay their “investors”, donate to a charity of their choice, or enjoy for themselves!
The website will go live for sales on Tuesday, November 24 and the last day of sales will be the day of Winterfest, Saturday, December 5. Click on the 'Student Ventures' tab above to make your purchases and support our girls' businesses!
Gingerbread Workshops
Our gingerbread elves are hard at work to bring the magic of gingerbread into your homes! Join us for one of these activities:
-How-To Workshops: Unsure where to start? Need some inspiration? Join one of our How-To workshops and learn more about how to create your gingerbread masterpiece! These workshops will give you all the instruction you need to bring your visions to life. We will be offering workshops at the following times:
- 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
-Sister Families Gingerbread Sessions: Join your friends and Sister Family groups virtually to chit chat, catch up, and hang out while you decorate your gingerbread at home.
-Alumni Sessions: Grab your favorite beverage and snacks and join us virtually to decorate your house and catch up with fellow Hamlin alumni.
- 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 5 (Moderated by Tiffany Scharschmidt '94)
Please see the information below on how to purchase a Gingerbread To-Go Kit and Cookies, or click on the Gingerbread To-Go tab above!
Virtual Concert with Alphabet Rockers: 2:00 p.m.
Move and groove in a community dance party with two-time GRAMMY nominees Alphabet Rockers through a celebration of movement and music that fosters joy and community. Join the video cypher!
Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change, creating brave spaces for children and families to stand up to hate and be their courageous, beautiful selves. Led by Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Soulati Shepherd (he/him/they), Alphabet Rockers gets young people to talk about self-love and justice while living it. Their GRAMMY-nominated albums, multimedia, & curricula empower youth to embody change, advocate for others, & imagine a world they can both be seen in and thrive in. Alphabet Rockers are based in Oakland, CA, on the unceded land of the Chochenyo Ohlone people.
Can I still purchase a Gingerbread house or cookies?
Gingerbread sales are now closed. Please contact Lisa Wheeler at wheeler@hamlin.org with any questions. Thank you!
How can I get involved?
Winterfest cannot happen without volunteers, so we are counting on your help! Just like this event, all volunteer opportunities will be virtual and range from leading gingerbread decorating workshops and hanging out with your peers in grade-level drop-in sessions. Click on the 'Volunteer' tab to sign up.