December 19, 2020

Coldwater of Lee’s Summit, a nonprofit providing food and clothing for those in need, will host its first virtual Winterfest fundraiser on Feb. 27, 2021. This event will include a virtual Cocktail Hour Wine Tasting followed by a virtual Variety Show featuring performers from our community.

“We may not be able to share handshakes and hugs at this year’s Winterfest, but those blessed with talents for entertaining can give joy and laughter to our Winterfest guests by sharing their gifts,” says Monica Humbard, Coldwater’s executive director.

Virtual guests will enjoy the Variety Show from 7:30-8:30 pm at home or with a select group of friends while 80 guests will attend live at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence. All guests will be able to vote on their phones for their favorite performances from the top 3 in each of five categories – inspirational, creative, artistic, bizarre and humorous.

Coldwater will choose the top three performances in each category to feature on the streamed event the night of Winterfest. If you would like to submit a 2 minute or less performance video, you can use your smart phone. When making a video, turn the phone sideways (16×9) and choose the 1080p HD, 30 frames per second settings. Email your video to [email protected] by Jan. 26, 2021. Include in the email your name, phone number, and the category in which you choose to compete.

Coldwater reserves the right to exclude any video from the contest that it considers inappropriate or offensive. In early February Coldwater will notify the top three finalists in each category whose videos will be featured on the live streamed event.

The winner in each category receives a $50 cash prize. Coldwater will distribute prizes the week after the event.

Before the Variety Show from 6:00-7:00 pm, Jane Monroe, president of the local beverage catering company Embrace the Grape, will lead guests through a tasting of six special wine selections. To participate, guests will select a $60 wine package when they register, which includes their choice of three of the six featured wines. Wine package distribution will take place the week prior to the event. The Cocktail Hour also will include tips on cooking with wine and how to pair wines with meals from local Chef Aristo Camburako, who is the executive chef at Doubletree in Overland Park, the owner of Chef Aristo’s Curbside & Catering food truck, and a former contestant on the Food Network’s 2017 Holiday Baking Championship.

LIVE GUESTS The first 80 guests to register to attend Winterfest live at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence for a premier donation of $140 per guest will receive the full Variety Show experience. Their registration will include the Cocktail Hour Wine Tasting, dinner from Hereford House, special Winterfest 2021 party favors, and the honor of serving as a premier judge for the Variety Show competition.

RAFFLE TICKETS When registering, all guests will have a chance to purchase $50 raffle tickets or 3 for $100 for 10 prizes to be drawn the night of the event. The prizes include $500 Cash, a Yeti Tundra 45, a Garmin Vivofit watch, a $200 Private Showing Movie Night gift card, a Kate Spade handbag, a Branson getaway, AirPod Pro earbuds, a 65-inch Samsung TV, a Traeger Tailgater grill, and an iPad Air tablet. All winners will be contacted by email or phone the Monday after the event.

HEAR THEIR STORIES Throughout the evening of Winterfest, guests will hear the stories of Coldwater volunteers and donors, as well as those touched by the services of Coldwater.

HOW TO CONNECT To register or for more information, visit https://coldwater.ejoinme.org/Winterfest2021 or www.coldwater.me. After registering, all guests will receive links and directions for online bidding for the auction and for choosing their favorite performers in the Variety Show.