Supply chain cancels Bradenton Winter Wonderland

Even though the first signs of a Florida winter have begun to show, the temperatures aren’t low enough to help with the ice shortage that has led the city of Bradenton to cancel the Winter Wonderland festival. 

But it wasn't Florida weather that contributed to the shortage. The event’s ice vendor is unable to supply ice because of damage sustained from Hurricane Ian.  

The supply chain also struck again — seemingly the theme of the year — with the city unable to obtain necessary equipment thanks to supply-chain issues. So instead, a press release sent by the city says the festival planned for Dec. 10 will be postponed until next year. 

“We know the expectations of the families that come downtown to enjoy this event,” festival organizer Marianne Barnebey says in the release. “We considered many options for events and activities to make the festival go forward. But we didn’t want to cobble something together just to have the event; we thought it best to postpone and do it right next year. We hope to come back bigger and better.”

The boat parade on Dec. 10 will still take place that day. The Winter Wonderland event takes place annually on Old Main Street in December featuring two large snow slides and a bunny slope that uses around 20 tons of ice. 

“Even without our Winter Wonderland festival,” Mayor Gene Brown says, “the city is still in the holiday spirit.”