First Reading Winterfest 'Exceeded Expectations,' Chamber Says

READING, MA — Buoyed by unseasonably warm weather and a community itching to gather as pandemic restrictions eased, the town's first Winterfest "exceeded expectations," Reading Chamber of Commerce President Jenniffer Rogers said.

"The Chamber was thrilled to host so many Reading families and businesses at Winterfest," Rogers said. "People are definitely interested in gathering outdoors, and with the warm temperature that evening, the attendance and excitement definitely exceeded our expectations."

The event, held March 10, featured ice sculptures sponsored by Kiara Mooney Salon and Spa, Doyon's Kitchen and Appliance, Whitelam Books, Little Treasures Schoolhouse, Everything But the Dog, Karen Gately Herrick RE/MAX Encore Realty, The Horseshoe Grille, The Residence at Pearl Street, Eastern Bank and Sweepnman, Inc. Sculptures included a frame for attendees to take selfies, a heart and a deer.

Fire tables illuminated the common, sponsored by Reading Cooperative Bank, Metro Credit Union and Weston & Sampson, Inc. And no winter festival would be complete without s'mores, which were sponsored by The Goddard School, Reading Gymnastics Academy, Rep. Bradley Jones, Goodhearts Children’s Shop, Greater Boston Stage Company, Classified Realty Group, Jordan’s Furniture, Mathnasium of Reading, The Savings Bank, Staples, Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom, Sweepnman, Inc., Artis Senior Living, and Simms Jewelers. PDA Dental sponsored hot chocolate.

The event featured a live broadcast from North Shore 104.9, which included radio personality Erika Hemingway dressed as Elsa from "Frozen." Chamber board member Michelle McNall, who works at ABC Healthcare and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, dressed as Olaf.

Winterfest also included a beer garden and the Cupcake City food truck.

The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce thanked all sponsors and volunteers for a successful event. It also extended thanks to board members Jenniffer Rogers, of Leader Bank; Brian Lindmark, of Total Mortgage, Mike Kirmes, of Doyon's Kitchen and Appliance; Catherine Barton Rossetti, of Barton Rossetti Law; Sheila Clarke, of M+H Interiors; Phil Clarke, of St. Killian Importers; Steve Rogers, of Dracut Window and Door; and the Reading Department of Public Works.