"This is a great family-friendly event to help kick off the holiday season," said Dave Schell, executive director of Main Street Mount Joy, describing Winterfest. "Come downtown and do some early Christmas shopping at our downtown stores and vendors. ... It's a fantastic event to discover something new downtown."

Winterfest will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. along Main Street in Mount Joy, between Delta and Barbara streets. Main Street will be closed to traffic for the event.

The event will feature food vendors along with business and organization booths. Live music will be performed by a ukulele group, an accordion-drum duo, SweetLife Music, Sandy Heisey, Donegal Performing Arts and the choirs of St. Mark's United Methodist and St. Luke's Episcopal churches.

Santa will be stationed at Sheetz Funeral Home, 16 E. Main St. "New this year, kids can drop off letters to Santa at Ladybug Suds N' Scrubs and Time after Time Clocks," Schell stated. "You can meet an elf who will help kids send their letter to Santa." The businesses are located at 45 E. Main St.

A tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. "We start to gather at the tree around 6:45 p.m. for choir singing," Schell said. "Who doesn't want to see the town tree get lit? It is an amazing moment each year. Thousands of people come downtown for this event and surround the tree."

Sponsors of Winterfest are T-Mobile, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, townlively.com (Merchandiser), the Olde Square Inn and Sheetz Funeral Home.

Schell said Winterfest is offered each year to bring the community together. "It gives everyone in and around Mount Joy a chance to relax, start the holiday season and have a great, family-friendly time downtown," he remarked. "Attendees can discover a new shop or restaurant downtown, learn more about the local organizations and listen to some great local music artists."

Main Street Mount Joy is also hosting a Downtown Elf Hunt this year. "There are 38 elves hidden downtown," Schell explained. "Your job is to find as many as you can. They will be inside or outside local businesses and offices. Some you can see through the front windows. Some will require you to go inside the building and look around." Participants are encouraged to document the location where the elf was found and where it was located at the site. Whoever finds the most elves will win a prize collection from downtown businesses. The elf hunt will run through Wednesday, Dec. 22. "(This is a) wonderful event to bring the kids to and participate in as a family," Schell commented. "Who can find the most elves in your family?"

For more information on Winterfest or the Downtown Elf Hunt, visit https://mainstreetmountjoy.com.