Yes! At the Friendship Circles Annual Chanukah Festival youll get photo ops with Judah the sledgehammer Maccabee, a bounce house (for the wee ones), carnival rides, a magic show, and noshing galore. But this celebration isnt all about the latkes (though, there will be plenty of latkes), it kicks back to the community. The Friendship Circle is a non-profit affiliate of Chabot of Parkland that assists special needs children through therapy programs and peer-matching. In fact, at Sundays Chanukah festival, youll see some of Friendship Circles excellent outreach in action; theyre teaming up with Personal Ponies to bring therapy Shetlands out to the kids. The children can groom them, wash them, and even paint them with animal-safe pigments. Yes! Ponies!
Grown-ups will find their own thrills: theyll stand illuminated under an eight-foot menorah while chowing on kosher barbecue, donuts, and latkes to live music. Join the bash and see why this has become the biggest Chanukah celebration in South Florida. The whole thing is free, but youll find plenty of ways to support the Friendship Circle at the event.
The Annual Chanukah Festival runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at Chabad of Parkland at 7170 Loxahatchee Rd. in Parkland. Call 954-970-9551, or visit chabadbroward.org.
Sun., Dec. 28, 3 p.m., 2008