Want to take a break from the shopping, traffic, and stress and actually get in the holiday spirit, big-time?
Maybe you’ve been to other outdoor holiday attractions around town, but you want to extend that special seasonal feeling a few more days before it’s time to open those presents.
Well, here’s somewhere you can go, where you don’t need heavy coats, mittens, and hot chocolate to keep you warm while you’re trying to get in the holiday spirit.
“Winter Wonderland,” a holiday extravaganza for kids and grownups, is taking place now through December 21st at Agricenter International. And it’s all — with the exception of a train and a covered petting zoo — held indoors.
The attraction, which owner Nemario Yancey, co-owner of Three Little Pigs Bar-B-Q, describes as “a huge labor of love,” is jam-packed with just about everything to get you in the spirit. “It offers a full line-up of indoor holiday attractions: a 20-foot snow tube slide, bumper-tube lanes, Santa’s Workshop activities, a live snow-globe photo-op, pictures with Santa, magic shows, live music, food vendors, shopping, and more — all in a safe, festive, climate-controlled environment where families can enjoy the season without being out in the elements,” Yancey says.
“Winter Wonderland” is a testament to Namario’s dad, the late Napoleon Yancey Jr.
His dad started his own concession business, “Yancey’s Cool Stuff & More” (now “Yancey’s Smoking Good Foods”), in 1999.
They sold their wares at Delta Fair, Mid-South Fair, Mud Island Amphitheater, Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival, and Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
Namario and his three brothers continue to work at their dad’s concession business. They sell funnel cakes, corn dogs, barbecue nachos, chicken on a stick, Polish sausage, and turkey legs, among other items.
“Earlier this year, my dad unexpectedly passed away. The day after we created the layout drawing (of Winter Wonderland) at Event Rentals by Hicks.
“Before he died, one of the things he talked about was creating a big, holiday experience for Memphis. Something fun, festive, safe, and affordable for families.
“He wanted it to be indoors so everyone could truly enjoy it no matter the weather. When we lost him, I knew I had to bring that vision to life. It became one of our ways of carrying his legacy forward.”
“Winter Wonderland” truly is a family affair. “This entire event is being put on out of pocket by my family. There are no corporate sponsors behind it. Just a local Memphis family trying to honor a man whose biggest dream was to create joy for others.
“Along the way, I’ve had some incredible people step in to help. All saying the same thing: ‘Anything for your dad.’ That support has meant everything.”
By the way, you can get hot chocolate at “Winter Wonderland.” And you don’t have to drink it outside.
For information on “Winter Wonderland,’ including admission prices, visit the website: winterwonderlandmemphis.com