Winterfest 2022 is back at Hamlin, and we are excited to celebrate our largest annual community event at our newly transformed campus for the first time! Below you will find more information about the event and answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to anyone on the Winterfest committee, your Room Parents, or Ashley Burke at burke@hamlin.org. Thank you!
What is Winterfest?
Winterfest is Hamlin’s much-anticipated and festive annual event that celebrates community. Hamlin families, friends, and extended communities are all invited to join us on Saturday, December 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a fun-filled day for all ages with favorite activities like Gingerbread Decorating Workshops, Book Fair, Student Ventures, Marketplace, Bake Sale, and more!
What activities will take place at Winterfest this year?
Bake Sale
Baked with love by the Hamlin community, stop by Bake Sale for scrumptious treats - both savory and sweet! Gluten-free options available.
Book Fair
Winterfest is once again partnering with Books Inc. to bring the hottest titles and writers to the Hamlin community. 20 percent of all Book Fair sales will be donated back to Hamlin.
- Teacher wish lists are back! Show your appreciation to our Hamlin faculty and staff members by purchasing a book from their wish list at Book Fair. Wish lists will be available at the Book Fair information table starting on Friday, December 9.
- Book Buzz: Join us on Friday morning, December 9 at 8:30 a.m. for Book Buzz. Learn about the season's newest listings and get gift recommendations from our friends at Books Inc.! Bonus: Registers will be open during Book Buzz for Book Fair pre-sale purchases. More information to follow.
- Meet the Author: Meet Jodie Antypas, author of Just Like an Astronaut, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Book Fair during Winterfest. Jodie will also do a special read-aloud at 10:00 a.m.! Signed copies of her books will be available for sale.
- Stop by for Storytime! While shopping at Book Fair, kids are welcome to stop in for Storytime! Located in the Lower School Library. Childrens' stories will be read by Middle Schoolers as well as guest author Jodie Antypas. Check the Book Fair Info table for times.
Food Trucks
Hungry? Stop by our Food Trucks in the East and West Parking Lots on Broadway for a bite to eat!
- Cielito Lindo (Mexican)
- Mozzeria (Pizza)
- Nucha Empanadas (Empanadas)
- Sajj (Mediterranean)
Fun Fest Outdoor Entertainment
Winterfest has a new addition this year...Fun Fest! Come join us on the rooftop for Carnival Games, Open Air Bounce House, DJ, Dancing, and a Special Winter Guest. Enjoy this new fun to the fest!
Gingerbread Workshops (Requires pre-registration beginning Tuesday, November 1 at Noon)
Our gingerbread elves are hard at work to bring the magic of gingerbread to Winterfest! Register to visit our winter wonderland workshop where children and adults of all ages can decorate gingerbread houses with a vast assortment of delectable sweets. There are four time slots available: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Gingerbread Workshops tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend registering as close to noon on November 1 as possible. If your preferred time slot is sold out, don’t panic! We will have a waitlist option, and are generally able to accommodate everyone by the time Winterfest arrives.
Gingerbread To-Go Kits (comes with a house and everything you need to create a delicious treat), cookies (2 gingerbread people per order), and Upper Crust pies can also be purchased to enjoy at home, for gift giving, and/or to donate to Hamilton Families and Compass Family Services! Gingerbread To-Go Kit/cookie pick-up will be on Thursday, December 8 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in the carpool lane on Vallejo Street, or we will gladly deliver within SF for orders of 5 or more kits. Pie pick-up will be at the Bake Sale booth during Winterfest on December 10.
Gingerbread Workshops/To-Go Kits: $75/each
Gingerbread Cookies (2 per order): $8
Upper Crust Pies (apple, pumpkin, GF apple, or GF pumpkin): $28/each
Lower School Lounge
Visit the Lower School Lounge for some fun and exciting activities - photo booth, face bling, and more. Lower school students will have a special place they can gather to enjoy Winterfest time together.
Magic Show (Requires pre-registration beginning Tuesday, November 1 at Noon)
Join us for an entertaining magic show with local favorite Dan Chan Master Magician, an internationally renowned, award-winning magician who performs world-class sleight of hand, playful pick-pocketing, and thoughtful sleight of mind. Three 30-minute shows at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. in the Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket price includes a special limited edition take-home surprise for each child. Please note: Lower School students and siblings should be accompanied by a parent/guardian or older sibling chaperone.
Marketplace
We’ve got a great variety of vendors who are eager to share their wares with you! Support local businesses while also supporting our school. A percentage of all Marketplace sales will be donated back to Hamlin.
To view a list of vendors, click the 'Marketplace' tab above.
Middle School Lounge (Requires pre-registration beginning Tuesday, November 1 at Noon)
Hamlin Middle Schoolers and their middle school-aged siblings (Grade 5 and up only) are invited to spend time in the Middle School Winter Wonderland Lounge. The back of the Lair is reserved exclusively for middle schoolers, and snacks and fun activities will abound. There will be plenty of seating for middle schoolers to gather with their friends and have some downtime away from parents!
Lounge Hours: 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Raffle
Bake Sale and Marketplace will host a joint raffle at Winterfest with the opportunity to win gift cards from Miller & Lux, Wayfare Tavern, and LUNA, as well as wines from Bay Area Wine Company. Special thanks to Tony Marcell P'28 and Amy Morgan P'25, P'27 for generously donating the gift cards and wines. All revenues from Bake Sale and the raffle benefit the Hamlin Parents Association in support of our school.
Student Ventures
Now in its 5th year, Student Ventures provides an opportunity for students in Grades 3-8 to learn about entrepreneurship and teamwork by creating, marketing and selling a product or services - either for profit or in service of charity. Join us for a virtual event at 6:00 p.m. on November 16 to watch video commercials that the girls have created to market their products. Orders may be placed online between November 18 and December 2. Each individual or group will have a table to sell their products at Winterfest - stop by to do some holiday shopping, pick up your online orders, and support these exciting new businesses!
Students will be giving back to Hamlin by donating a portion of their sales back to the community. 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!
When can I register for these events?
Registration is required for our Gingerbread Workshops, Magic Shows, and Middle School Lounge, and will open on Tuesday, November 1 at Noon on the 'Registration' tab above. Space is limited, so please log on to this site (hamlin.org/wfest) just before Noon on November 1 to sign up.
Winterfest is for all Hamlin families, and financial assistance is available. Please contact Ashley Lin (lin@hamlin.org) for further information.
How can I get involved?
Winterfest is run by parent volunteers, and we are counting on your help! Parents and Middle School students can also sign up to volunteer for various activities and are encouraged to help make this event a success! Click on the 'Volunteer' tab above to sign up.