Every December, Main Street in Mount Joy becomes a living portrait of community spirit. Neighbors, churches, businesses and service clubs come together to host Winterfest, a celebration that wraps the town in lights, laughter and hometown pride.

The 27th annual Winterfest will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, along Main Street from Market to Barbara streets in Mount Joy. Representatives from various service organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, Kiwanis, Friends of Donegal and the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce, will join community volunteers to host the festive event.

"Come for the kids' activities, the music, the food and the crafts," said Ferne Silberman, who is helping to organize Winterfest. "We have a huge area for the kids."

Organizer Linda Eberly noted that Mount Joy Church of God donates the use of its property for the kids' area.

"We've put all of the kids' activities in one area, making it easier for the parents," Eberly said. "It's a nice, large spot for families to gather."

Children's activities will include a petting zoo of alpacas from Eastland Alpacas; a Little Shoppers area, where children can purchase gifts for family and friends (by cash only); face painting by Faith Outreach Church; a RAISE28 prize wheel; a Bible2School giant prize snowman; a Fellowship of Christian Athletes penguin craft; and Little Notes music and instruments for kids to play. Children can also register to win a playhouse provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. The winner will be drawn at the event.

Winterfest will also feature a visit from the Jolly Old Elf himself. Santa will ride through town and arrive at Sheetz Funeral Home via a decked-out golf cart. The Santa experience and treats are sponsored by Sheetz Funeral Home, where clowns will be creating balloon art, which is sponsored by The Ferne Silberman Team. New this year, stilt walkers, sponsored by Buch Funeral Home, will be navigating Main Street.

Winterfest will also feature lots of options for food, as well as musical performances and other entertainment.

"This year, we are interspersing the food vendors in with the other participants rather than having a separate area for food," Eberly said.

Tables from nearly 50 local nonprofit organizations, school groups and churches will also be featured, and many of the groups will sell items as fundraisers for their organizations. Mount Joy-area businesses will also have stands with promotional materials, prize wheels, drawings and giveaways. Local artisans offering handmade items suitable for gift giving will also be available.

Participating restaurants will include Bube's Brewery, Noel's Cafe, Piper Belles BBQ, Rotary Fry Wagon, Spud Muffin, Papa's Pizza, Florin Church of the Brethren, The Donut Guys, Two Cousins, Twisted Bine Beer Co. and the Lions Club. Local restaurants on Main Street will also be open during the day, as well as local retail establishments. Twisted Bine will also host live music during the event.

"Winterfest is a family-friendly event," Eberly said. "Come downtown to enjoy musical entertainment on the main stage, located in front of St. Mark's UMC." The stage is provided by Guardian Barriers. Groups will begin playing at 2 p.m., and music will continue until 4:45 p.m. Performers will include Sandy Heisey on keyboard, Trinity Lutheran Church children's choir, Mary Mother of the Church children's choir, SweetLife Music, Donegal Rhythm Singers and the Donegal Alumni Band.

At 5 p.m., the Donegal Alumni Band will march the crowd from the stage area to the Rotary Clock, where they will lead a carol sing-along, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony.

"Miss Jan, who recently retired as the children's director of Milanof-Schock Library, will be our master of ceremonies for the Christmas Tree Lighting, which ends the evening," Eberly said.

"Good's Tree and Lawn Care has volunteered to do the lights on the tree this year in coordination with Fire Department Mount Joy," Silberman said, noting that Jeff Bollinger of Bollinger Mechanical was also instrumental in making sure the tree is the focus of the event. "Jeff repaired the star that was damaged last year during a wind event. If Jeff would not have been able to repair the star, we would have been looking at $2,000 or more to replace the star."

She also expressed thanks to Blake Brubaker for the use of the tree, which is on his property. Brubaker also provides storage for the ornaments, lights and star.

The Mount Joy Borough Police Department will hold a Toys for Tots gift drive located at Marietta Notary during Winterfest. People are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or children's game to fill a police cruiser. Friends of Donegal will collect canned goods to replenish local supplies.

Winterfest organizers noted that the event would not be possible without the support of numerous people, businesses and organizations. Sponsors include Guardian Barriers and Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

Parking for Winterfest will be available behind St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 37 E. Main St. Restrooms will be located at the Mount Joy Borough Office, Mount Joy Church of God and Twisted Bine.

For more information on Winterfest, visit http://www.facebook.com/MountJoyWinterfest.