In what was hailed as a great “success” by organizers, Wiscasset’s Second Annual WinterFest on Feb. 5 drew large crowds of all ages to the community center on Rt. 27.
According Bonnie Blagdon, Program Coordinator for the Wiscasset Community Center, more than 250 hearty souls braved a brief snowstorm to take part in the event and to also honor WMS 8th grader Cainin Griffin who is battling Burkitts Leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. At the behest of selectmen and Town Manager Laurie Smith, WinterFest organizers declared Feb. 5 Cainin Griffin Day and set up numerous donation boxes throughout the event.
After several months of intensive chemotherapy, Griffin went into remission in mid-January but still has a long road ahead of him according to friends and family. While the exact dollar amount of the donations was not available, Blagdon said it was “considerable” and will go to both Griffin’s family and the Barbara Bush’s Children Hospital in Portland.
The daylong celebration of all things winter featured a birds of prey demonstration from the Chewonki Foundation, snowmobile rides courtesy of the Wiscasset Sno-goers, snow shoeing, music from the rock band, The Generics, a community supper and a fire works display under the stars.
“This seems to better than last year,” said Blagdon. “Just a tremendous day for the Community Center and for Cainin Griffin.”
Perhaps most encouraging said Blagdon was the presence of Griffin himself who, with the blessing of his doctors, made a guest appearance at the event.
Local auto dealership Wiscasset Ford also chipped in with a Facebook campaign where for every “like” generated for the company within a 36-hour window, $1 would be donated to Griffin. Within 8 hours they had hit their target goal of 1000 with online visitors from across the “country” taking part, said Dave Bryer, salesman for the dealership.
Going forward, WinterFest organizers hope to partner with a charity yearly, an idea, said Blagdon, that makes sense.
“It gets people out to enjoy the community center and helps a good cause,” she said.
Anyone wishing to make donations to Cainin Griffin, may make checks payable to: CG Cancer Fund, The First, P.O. Box 431, Wiscasset, 04578.
