Fort Walton Beach police host 'Winter Wonderland' community night out tonight

Devon Ravine, Northwest Florida Daily News
·1 min read
Jessie Edwards and Sheila Merier with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department work on their Lego-themed Christmas house in preparation for the department's annual "Winter Wonderland" community night out event on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Jessie Edwards and Sheila Merier with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department work on their Lego-themed Christmas house in preparation for the department's annual "Winter Wonderland" community night out event on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is holding its annual Winter Wonderland community night out and toy drive today from 6 to 10 p.m. at Chester Pruitt Park, 15 Hollywood Blvd. NE.

The event features a variety of child-friendly activities, including two bounce houses, tables for making your own Christmas ornaments and for writing letters to Santa Clause as well a soccer-ball-based dart game. A DJ from Z96 radio will provide festive music, and there will be a Christmas movie shown on a large inflatable screen.

Santa presides over a vandalized Christmas tree at the Emerald Coast Crimestoppers Christmas house. The is one of about 30 Christmas-themed houses that will be part of Fort Walton Beach Police Department's annual "Winter Wonderland" community night out event on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Santa presides over a vandalized Christmas tree at the Emerald Coast Crimestoppers Christmas house. The is one of about 30 Christmas-themed houses that will be part of Fort Walton Beach Police Department's annual "Winter Wonderland" community night out event on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Also on display will be about 30 unique Christmas houses, made from recycled pallets and decorated in holiday themes by local businesses, military service members, community organizations and the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.

A donation of a new toy or $10 gets a raffle ticket and a shot at winning any one of a number of raffle items, including an inflatable paddle board from Bote, a kayak, gift cards and swag bags from local restaurants and business as well as hotel stays on Okaloosa Island and in Walton County.

Toys and donations from the event will go to Emerald Coast Toys for Tots to be distributed to local families in need.

The Erase the Trace Okaloosa winter house was created almost completely from recycled or repurposed materials. The house is one of about 30 Christmas-themed houses that will be part of Fort Walton Beach Police Department's annual "Winter Wonderland" community night out event, held Friday, Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Erase the Trace Okaloosa winter house was created almost completely from recycled or repurposed materials. The house is one of about 30 Christmas-themed houses that will be part of Fort Walton Beach Police Department's annual "Winter Wonderland" community night out event, held Friday, Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: 'Winter Wonderland' community night out at Chester Pruitt Park tonight