By Stefanie Thompson

This weekend marks the 33rd annual Winterfest event, hosted by the Lake Havasu City Chamber of Commerce.

Winterfest will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday,  and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It will take over the downtown district of McCulloch Boulevard North, between Smoketree and Acoma.

“This year, we have more than 250 vendors,” said Niki Nickle, the membership and special events coordinator with the Lake Havasu City Chamber of Commerce. “I’d say about 90 percent of those will be selling handmade items.”

The vendors, who hail from around the United States, will be displaying products and services in more than 400 booths, offering a wide variety of items including fine art, crafts, jewelry, bed linens, home décor and automobile products.

“There are always quite a few surprises,” Nickle said. “You always find cool and unique things that you didn’t know you needed!”

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

More than 30,000 attendees are expected during the two-day event. There will be live demonstrations, entertainment and children’s activities.

“One of the highlights this year … the band Mother Road Trio will play Saturday and Sunday afternoon,” Nickle said.

Winterfest will also feature opening ceremonies courtesy of Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen, music from the Colomonde Chorus and the posting of the colors by the Lake Havasu City Marine Corps League, Nickle said. The main stage and beer garden will be located at the Springberg-McAndrew Park, and the Chamber’s booth will be set up at the Alex Ross State Farm offices.

The entire festival area will be closed to all motor traffic during the event. The Chamber recommends attendees park on side streets and nearby business parking lots.

“But we ask everyone to be courteous to the local businesses, and not fill their lots without visiting those shops,” Nickle said.

Winterfest is free, open to the public and appropriate for all ages. Anderson Auto Group is this year’s premier sponsor.

For more information, call 928-855-4115 visit http://www.havasuchamber.com or https://www.facebook.com/WinterfestLakeHavasu.