Coral Isles Church Hosts 14th Winter Festival Feb. 7, Free Admission

Coral Isles Church is hosting its 14th annual Winter Festival today, Feb. 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 90001 Overseas Highway (mile marker 90) in Tavernier. Admission and parking are free, with early-bird access to the indoor thrift sale from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. available for a $10 donation.

Organizers bill the event as a family fundraiser that channels proceeds to the church’s ministries, including the Barnabas Fund. The church’s December sponsorship appeal states, "Please help us continue the good works we do in our local community and around the world by joining us as one of our valued sponsors for our Winter Festival." The Barnabas Fund is described in church materials as providing grocery and gas gift cards, paying water and electric bills, assisting with medical and prescription expenses, and buying bus tickets home for people whose life in the Keys has become unsustainable.

The festival blends a large indoor thrift/yard sale with an outdoor market of more than 40 vendors; Festivalnet lists 45 exhibitors and an attendance estimate of 1,000. Vendor names appearing in event listings include Laura Moore Designs, Pirate Hat Apiary, Key West Spice, Sheri Griffin, Keyz Crafts and In the Sun Seaglass Creations. Live music is scheduled throughout the day on a single stage with variety entertainment, and organizers are promoting a "BUY IT NOW" auction offering gift certificates, jewelry, artwork, tools and other bargains.

Food offerings are extensive for a community-run event: pulled pork sandwiches, meatball subs, grilled brats, hamburgers and veggie burgers, hot dogs, a homemade bake sale, soft drinks and an adult beverage station. Festival materials and calendars also highlight a plant sale, recycled-jewelry booth, silent-auction elements and "lots of great vendors."

Children’s programming is a clear focus: the festival features a free bounce house, a water slide and kids crafts and games. The Coral Isles flyer invites residents to "JOIN US FOR A FUN-FILLED DAY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!" Free parking at Coral Shores is being provided to ease access for shoppers and families.

Local organizations that use Coral Isles Church space or benefit from its programs include MARC House, Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, Florida Keys Healthy Start, the Historical Society of the Upper Keys and an American Legion group; the church also supports local food pantries. Named sponsors in event materials include CBT Construction, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. and Regan Roth Insurance.

For more information or vendor questions, Coral Isles Church asks the public to contact the church office at (305) 852-5813. For Monroe County residents, the festival is both a weekend outing and a tangible way to support a local safety-net operation that provides cash aid, bill relief and other direct assistance to neighbors in need.