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Snow day! Bolles PVB students enjoy an afternoon in the slushy stuff

Anne Hammock, Florida Times-Union
·1 min read
Students at The Bolles Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus were treated to a Winterfest on Friday afternoon, Jan. 7. More than 200 prekindergarten through fifth-grade students were treated to a bounce house, train rides and other games, but the small patch of snow (bags of crushed ice, ground and blown from a large hose) was the main attraction.
Students at The Bolles Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus were treated to a Winterfest on Friday afternoon, Jan. 7. More than 200 prekindergarten through fifth-grade students were treated to a bounce house, train rides and other games, but the small patch of snow (bags of crushed ice, ground and blown from a large hose) was the main attraction.

Who says kids can't enjoy a snowball fight in Florida?

That's what happened on Jan. 7, when The Bolles Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus hosted its annual Winterfest. Though temperatures approached the 70s, more than 200 pre-K through fifth-grade students donned their winter coats, gloves and hats for an afternoon of chilly fun.

The "snow" came courtesy of Gentlemen's Ice, a Jacksonville company that supplies bagged ice throughout the area. The company also specializes in creating such events, using crushed ice that is ground and blown through a large hose.

Though held annually for several years now, Winterfest was cancelled in 2021 — as was the norm — due to the pandemic. It was organized and managed by the Bolles Parent Association, which is active on all four campuses of the school.

“I did not get in any snowball fights, but I did take part in the pie-throwing contest and took a lovely train ride with students, and I certainly enjoyed the laughter and joy that Winterfest brought to our campus,” said Campus Head Stacey Hendershot. “We are incredibly grateful to our Parent Association for putting on such a wonderful event.”

Kindergartner Mark Bryant, 6, takes in the view as he rides the train around The Bolles Lower School Campus during last Friday's Winterfest.
Kindergartner Mark Bryant, 6, takes in the view as he rides the train around The Bolles Lower School Campus during last Friday's Winterfest.

Despite the balmy temperatures, the brilliant sunshine only added to the kids' high spirits, as the slushy stuff held for the duration of the event. Snowball fights, snow angels, other games and hot chocolate added up to a pile of winter fun for these youngsters.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Snow day! Bolles PVB students enjoy an afternoon in the slushy stuff