Winterfest Continues Through December; Meinig Park History of Joy

By Abby Haney

Found in Meinig Park is light figurines of popular characters from the film “Charlie Brown” seen in Meinig Park. Multiple light attractions throughout the park are sponsored by numerous local businesses, these light figurines included. 

Winterfest is rapidly becoming a new tradition in Sandy that includes various activities for all ages. While it begins in November, most of the events take place in December. This year, new events became a part of this new tradition, furthering not only Winterfest but the history of Sandy. 

The first big event in December for Winterfest was Pet Pictures with the Grinch on Dec. 5 in Meinig Park. Offered were pictures as a family with the Grinch and your “furry friends,” a petting zoo to enjoy and holiday goods for tasting. On Dec. 12, Santa replaced the Grinch, offering photos with family and friends in Meinig Park. 

Dec. 19 is Shortest Day Walkway which highlights Meinig Park, a goal of Winterfest, and the lights filled all throughout. A scavenger hunt takes place in the park showcasing not only Meinig and its lights, but the City of Sandy’s departments. The lights that decorate Meinig have been an original tradition of Winterfest, Shortest Day Walkway since the beginning. 

“The feel good aspect of our community, getting out to go experience the holidays and experience that magic of, at least what I grew up with during that time is pretty special and we want everyone to be able to feel that,” Park and Recreation Community/Senior Center Manager John Wallace said. 

A beloved tradition by Sandy citizens is the Trick-or-Treat trail in October to celebrate Halloween. During this, the public brings their candy bags to stop at local businesses to fill it with candy and other goodies. Winterfest has a similar tradition for the winter time, the Stocking Stroll on Dec. 20, where local businesses in Sandy hand out holiday goods to fill your stocking. Stocking Stroll wasn’t an original Winterfest event; this year is the third annual Stocking Stroll. Sandy Historical Society will be open for the Stocking Stroll and offer pictures with Santa on an excavator. 

Sandy’s transit system is well beloved by many and during the holiday season, they bring extra festivity to their rides. On four different days, Dec. 6, 13, 21 and 22, people can ride on the trolley for free and view lights and decorations all throughout Sandy.

While this has been a tradition for the last four years, this year they added a new addition, Meinig Park’s Holiday Market. On all four trolley days, Meinig Park is available for exploration where it’s filled with local vendors. Riders are dropped off at the park for the market but the public can enjoy the vendors without riding the trolley. Booths will be set up throughout the festively decorated park and provide local goods for people to shop from. 

“I think people are really excited because it gives other people something to do while they’re walking around and they can buy some goods, baked goods, soaps and candles,” Parks and Recreation Event Coordinator Carol Cohen said.  

A big part of the added Holiday Market at Meinig Park is to gain more attention to Meinig Park. Most events during Winterfest are located or focused at Meinig Park to help gain traction to the beloved park during the winter season. 

“All of those events are new in response to this goal to activate that park for the community at a time it used to see very little activity,” Wallace said. 

Since 1963, Meinig Park has attracted all ages and events in its current location. The Sandy Mountain Day in 1973 furthered its history. In order to continue showcasing the “jewel of Sandy” history, Winterfest attracts people to it during its less active season. While Winterfest itself is a new tradition that expands Sandy history, it’s also expanding the park's history that began in 1963. In 2026, Meinig will also expect some renovations, advancing it further in order to last for generations to come. 

Engage in Sandy’s winter holiday spirit by exploring the various events in Meinig Park or local businesses. Visit the Sandy Historical Society Museum to see their festive artifacts along with the rest of Sandy’s history and on Dec. 20, see Santa. Winterfest may be a new tradition in Sandy, but it’s already shaping the history for generations to come during the wintertime. 

Abby Haney is the Editor-In-Chief at Sandy High School for the Pioneer Press and is a writer at large for The Sandy Historical Society.