We've tried to think of everything. If we've left anything out and you still have questions, please contact us. BUT FIRST, make sure you read over the FAQ's below.
The Winterfest connected with this website is predominately attended by students from churches of Christ. We get tons of calls and emails that should go to other "Winterfests". If you are looking for the Winterfest that meets in March in Knoxville, Tennessee, please contact David Blair at www.mywinterfest.com
Winterfest is a weekend retreat going on for 27 years now. This retreat is geared toward middle and high school teens. This particular Winterfest is attended primarily by teens from acappella churches of Christ, although we have groups from several different fellowships that come back each year. We use teachers from our fellowship to teach and encourage teens in their walk with God. This weekend is geared toward discipleship. The teachers and guests that come use real life stories, drama, music and scripture to make the Christian life come alive to the teens involved. Our acappella praise and worship times are uplifting and engaging. We have contemporary Christian concerts at our events that are supplemental to the weekend (we have had Jars of Clay, Third Day, Newsboys, Audio A, Supertones, Tait, to name a few). Believing that the Christian life can be very joyful, we bring in the best Christian entertainers we can find to challenge teens with their lifestyle and their attitudes (we have had Bob Stromberg, Tom Tufts, CPR, Dr. Comedy, Taylor Mason, Bob Smiley, Brad Montague, 3-2-1, Bean & Bailey, to name a few). Winterfest is always the third weekend in January in Arlington, Texas, with the same program again the third weekend in February in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. God bless you as you work with teens. The Winterfest Guys
All of our corporate worship times will be in the main halls. Our speakers will be very biblically based with relevant material affecting the lives of students, using music, drama, lecture, video, and experiences of Christians around the world. Our corporate singing is acappella.
We take VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards as a convenience to you. A 3.5% processing fee is automatically added to your balance. With the new online registration, your card will be charged immediately and you will get feedback for that. If you meet the deadline for refunds, we will issue you a check minus the 3.5% processing fee. For example, if you give your credit card or the church's credit card to hold your spots and then bring a check to the event, you will still have to pay the 3.5% that the bank charges immediately when your card goes through.
Pay with a check? Back To FAQs
Payment by check is good--if the check is good. If the check bounces, we will run it through one more time. If it bounces a second time, we will email you and ask for a money order for your purchase as well as any additional fees that were incurred attempting to process your check. If you are paying by check when you register online, we will hold your spots for 10 days. If payment is not received in 10 days, you will get an email reminding you that your spots are being released back into the pool. Currently, this is only critical if you are reserving spots in Gatlinburg for the late session. You may also pay with a Visa or Mastercard credit card.
When do I get my badges/tickets/passes/shirts?
You pick up your badges/tickets/passes the Friday of the event. Come to Registration and you will get your leaders packets with all your badges/tickets/passes/shirts. Registration typically opens around lunch on Friday.
Who pays to attend Winterfest?
Everyone coming to Winterfest has to be registered and have a badge to enter the sessions. The convention centers force us to have security above ours. They are told to not allow anyone in without a badge. Children three and under that you can hold in your lap--they cannot take up a chair space--can receive a free child's pass. This program is for teens in 6th grade up to 12th grade!!!!! If your child is crying or mis-behaving, you will be asked to leave the sessions. Please honor this request.
What is a session in Gatlinburg?
Currently this applies to Gatlinburg only. You must choose early or late. You can click here to look at a copy of the current schedule to get a feel for the sessions. A group CANNOT mix sessions (for example, some groups ask if they can come to late on Friday night, and come to early on Sunday morning. The answer is always NO. We do check badges Sunday morning and you will not be allowed to switch sessions, unless you want to buy both sessions. This is not to be mean, but to keep us from being shut down by the Fire Marshall. Please honor the session that you purchase, and do not be mean to our college student helpers.
No food is included in the registration price. You cannot bring food for your group into the convention centers. There is food for sale in the convention centers. This varies from hotdogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, drinks, candy, popcorn, pretzels, etc. For information about restaurants in Gatlinburg click here. There are also several fast food places right around the convention center. For Arlington, the eating out places are not as close to the convention center. Click here for a list.
Lodging is not provided in the registration price. Each event site has a lodging page. We have tried to put the hotels nearest to the convention centers on these pages. Please note that if you are new to Winterfest, these hotels may all be booked. If your group is small, you may be able to fit in one. In Gatlinburg, many groups rent chalets. You can call the Gatlinburg chamber of commerce for a listing of chalets for rent (800-588-1817). Many of these hotels provide a continental breakfast.
UPS and FEDEX shipments are shipped to the following address: For Gatlinburg---------Debbie Orsburn and Dudley Chancey, Gatlinburg Convention Center, 234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For Arlington--------------Scott Magness and Dudley Chancey, Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011.
If you send something by USPS (the post office) to Gatlinburg, it will be delivered to the business offices on Reagan Drive. These packages will not make it over to the convention center. You may incur additional charges to have someone hand deliver your packages over to the convention center. Please ship UPS or FEDEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The price paid to Winterfest for booth space is for the space only. Any additional items must be paid to the Gatlinburg and Arlington convention centers (See the respective pages for each to download electrical, phone, and Internet forms.
Is There a Refund Policy? Back To FAQs
We will issue a refund up until 30 days before the Friday each event starts. We understand that it is hard to get folks to commit, basketball tourneys, band, etc. We will also try and help you sell any spots you may have left over as the event approaches.
What if I loose my entry badge/tag?
You will have to purchase another one. Everyone must have a badge to enter the convention centers. Replacement badges are $10.00. Students must bring their group leader with them to verify that the original purchased badge is lost.