Snowfest

In 1985 Collier County wanted to give the community the feeling of a snowy holiday in sunny Southwest Florida. It started with 5 tons of snow and a few hundred people. Now 1,200 blocks of ice are pushed through a chipper to create 100 tons of snow that blanket the area by the Golden Gate Community Center.

There are snow mountains, the polar plunge (a large inflatable slide), a double snow slide and a snow wall. The event also has a laser battle, dodge ball, a 360-degree inflatable obstacle course, Santa’s Selfies and Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen.

New this year is live music by the Ben Allen Band, a bike raffle where 50 bicycles will be raffled and a video game truck.

A carnival coincides with the holiday fun.

When: Snowfest is 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, December 7. The carnival runs 6 to 10 p.m. December 5 and 6, 3 to 10 p.m. December 7 and 2 to 10 p.m. December 8.

Cost: Admission to Snowfest is $2 per person, ages 3 and younger admitted free. Carnival admission is free; cost of rides, food and attractions vary.