RE/MAX Rise to host Winter Festival in support of BGC South East

The Invista Centre will become a winter wonderland on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, when RE/MAX Rise hosts their inaugural Winter Festival. The event will raise money for BGC South East (formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area), to benefit over 4,000 local children and youth with healthy living programs.

The Winter Festival will bring community members together to enjoy a family-friendly holiday event, organizers said in a media release dated Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. RE/MAX Rise owner in Kingston, Adam Candon, envisioned the event and has been organizing the planning, along with 60 realtors on the team.

“We really value community and family here at RE/MAX,” Candon said. “The holiday season brings families together, and we thought this was a terrific opportunity to celebrate the season with a cause that shares our values with BGC South East.”

According to the release, the event will have three pads with free ice skating for all ages. The Desjardins ice pad will display a highlight event, a Kingston Police vs. Kingston Fire & Rescue hockey game at 12:30 p.m.

“Kingston Fire & Rescue and the Kingston Professional Firefighters Association are excited to be a part of this community event,” added Melanie Jones, Deputy Fire Chief at Kingston Fire & Rescue. “It is a way to give back to our community over the holidays. Our firefighters are ready to rise to the challenge in this friendly match!”

The entertainment will go beyond the ice, organizers said, with performances from The Nutcracker Ballet, and a Christmas Choir, with classic holiday music setting the scene. Activities featured on the day will consist of horse and carriage rides, a kid’s zone with balloon animals, holiday movies, and the opportunity to meet, greet, and take a photo with Santa, The Grinch, and Princess Elsa!

“We value our partnership with BGC South East and know the impact of engaging firsthand with our community,” said Kingston Police Sergeant Steve Koopman, who also serves as a Board Director at BGC South East.

“This event is building community, making thousands of positive connections, and funding healthy programs for local children and youth. We will have several members from our Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) [Unit] and Kington Police Community Volunteers (KPCV) at the Winter Fest, and are counting down the days for the celebration.”

With the rest of the family in mind, the RE/MAX Rise Winter Festival will also offer a beer garden for those of age, and a holiday market for your chance to find those last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers.

The Winter Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and attendance will be free of charge, with fun raffles and silent auctions raising funds for the cause.

“It has been a challenging year with the changing economy and the needs of families and children increasing,” stated Harold Parsons, Executive Director at BGC South East. “This event will be a celebration of community, and channel critical funds to our nutrition and literacy programs for over 700 local kids after-school this winter.”