Independence Blue Cross Winterfest Offers Family Fun Just an Hour from AC

PHILADELPHIA — It is no secret that exercising, eating well and remaining stress free (or at least reducing it) is the making of good health. Few would argue with the fact that maintaining or achieving good health is much easier when you are having fun and the whole family can participate.

That is the idea behind the Independence Blue Cross (IBX) RiverRink Winterfest located on the Delaware River Waterfront. It may seem like a novel idea, but it isn't new.

 “Winterfest has been bringing people together for 30 years, and everyone at Independence Blue Cross is proud to be a part of this milestone . . . as a founding sponsor," said Gregory E. Deavens, IBX president and chief executive officer. “We looked at it as a space for families to be active and outdoors in a healthy way.”

Mark Pattison and his wife Raquel Arredondo of Cherry Hill, and seven of their closest friends have been coming to Winterfest for years. “This is our day after Thanksgiving tradition,” said Pattison.

They spent time on Nov. 24 sitting by the fire pits, drinking warm drinks and relaxing. “We’re always here at 11 a.m. We always rent this cabin and we always take a picture of all the kids in the cabin,” Pattison said.

Winterfest offers ice skating, fire pits, cabins and s’mores along with assorted food options from Chickie’s and Pete’s to carnival favorites such as funnel cakes and fried Oreos and Tastkake. Christmas music plays throughout the RiverRink campus and there’s a classic arcade complete with air hockey, the claw game and Hoop Fever. But there are also current favorites such as Guitar Hero.

Adam Weiss, of Flowertown, PA, who has a second home in Margate, met his sister from Maryland at Winterfest. Sam and Stephanie Weiss, of Long Beach, CA, and Jake Weiss of New York also joined them. “This is our first time,” Weiss said. “It’s a new tradition.”

Deavens said he is proud of IBX’s ability to connect with the people of the Philadelphia region. “It’s part of our ongoing commitment to the community,” he said.

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 Again! Thanks for reading the whole story!

At Atlantic City Focus, we're committed to providing a platform where the diverse voices of our community can be heard, respected, and celebrated. As an independent online news platform, we rely on a unique mix of affordable advertising and the support of readers like you to continue delivering quality, community journalism that matters. Please support the businesses and organizations that support us by clicking on their ads. And by donating today, you become a catalyst for change helping to amplify the authentic voices that might otherwise go unheard. And no contribution is too small, $5, even $1 is appreciated. Join us in making a difference—one uplifting story at a time!