PANAMA CITY BEACH — Donning an ugly holiday sweater this season can bring smiles to adults and children.
Marina Cantina, 5550 N. Lagoon Drive, is hosting its inaugural Holiday Ugly Sweater Party on Dec. 17, and admission is one unopened toy or $5 donation for the Toys for Kids Foundation.
“It’s our inaugural event, but we are hoping for 3 to 400,” said Chris Pfahl, consultant to Marina Cantina. “The more the merrier.”
Toys for Kids collects gifts throughout the year at various events, including the annual Halloween Bash at Spinnaker Beach Club and Saturday’s Toys for Kids Christmas Ball, “Remembering the ‘80s part 2: Santa wears his sunglasses at night,” at Edgewater Beach Resort. The foundation then delivers the gifts at Christmas time.
“We have shopped for well over 150 kids so far this year,” said Chris Moates, president of Toys for Kids. “I have clients coming to pick up toys from our warehouse starting Dec 15 up until Christmas Eve. I hope the first annual Ugly Sweater Party will bring us more toys for the children here in Bay County.”
As of Thursday morning, the event’s Facebook page, “MC’s Inaugural Holiday Ugly Sweater Party (HUSP),” showed 94 going and 55 maybe out of 667 invited.
“We will have a contest for best dressed couple and most original sweater,” said Pfahl, who added a professional photographer will be there to capture the moment. “I’m going to make mine from 99-cent ornaments, green and red balls, and put them on a turtleneck.”
And with Dec. 12 being National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, you might as well start getting your wear out of it.
HOLIDAY UGLY SWEATER PARTY
- What: Inaugural event with prizes for best ugly sweater (male and female) and most original ugly sweater; live music from Martino and Tirado
- When: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17
- Where: Marina Cantina, 5550 N. Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach
- Admission: One unopened toy or $5 donation for Toys for Kids
- Details: 249-5500