Despite money troubles and doubts that the event would come together, Winterfest 2016 will kick off in Hartford Friday.
The event at Bushnell Park features ice skating, a holiday light display, and a variety of other holiday activities.
The skating rink will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Access to the skating rink is free and skate rentals are available. Visitors can also take a photo with Santa at his workshop, a free skating lesson, or take a ride around the carousel.
Budget cuts almost nixed this year’s Winterfest celebration, until donors jumped in with funding to make it happen.
The Hartford Parking Authority is changing the metered and posting parking rules around Bushnell Park to make it easier to visit.
Modifications will be made on Elm Street from Trinity Street to Hudson Street and Jewell Street from Trinity Street to Trumbull Street.
Parking will also be allowed from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Trinity Street from Elm Street to Jewell Street.
Local
On-street parking is always free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
After 5 p.m. parking will also be available for free at the State of Connecticut surface lots on West Street and Capitol Avenue.
For more specifics on Winterfest click here.
