Horizon West Fest returns to Hamlin

A fun-filled afternoon for the whole family is in store for Horizon West this weekend.

The annual Horizon West Fest will be making its way back to Hamlin for its second year Saturday, March 7, at the vacant field near Cinépolis Hamlin. Organized by Horizon West Happenings, the Horizon West Fest is one of two annual events the organization hosts to celebrate the community.

“It’s about the people who love living here and love the vision and want to see it come to life; even beyond what the residential and commercial developers do building their buildings,” said Cynthia Dailey, the publisher of Horizon West Happenings. “They don’t do the whole lifestyle things.”

Horizon West Fest is packed with a full day’s worth of fun in the sun. Guests will get to enjoy food, games, giveaways, a scavenger hunt, beer and wine, mingling with local businesses and organizations, and live entertainment through a talent show, live music and other performances. It wouldn’t be a day of family fun without a spot for the children to play, and this year’s Horizon West Fest will have that covered.

“There’s going to be an amped-up kids’ zone, so there will be a lot more things for the kids — even more than there were last year,” Dailey said. “There’s going to be a bubble pit, rock wall, a bungee jump spider, a huge obstacle course and a big game/sports center. … There’s going to be a tot lot for the little ones that can’t go do the big stuff.”

“It was so well received in the community,” said Stephanie Lang, the director of community engagement at Horizon West Happenings, referring to the Horizon West Fest. “This (event) is what residents are wanting and craving, and it’s so family-oriented. We wanted to hit that aspect and make sure that we have a lot more for the kids going on and that it’s interactive for every stage.”

With Horizon West seeing much of the growth in all of Orange County, the area is filled with new residents who might be unfamiliar with the community. One of the goals of the Horizon West Fest is to help bring Horizon West residents — both new ones and those who have lived in the area longer — together to connect with each other and create a sense of belonging with one another. It also gives residents a chance to connect with Horizon West businesses, clubs and other organizations.

“We want to involve the community — the people who make up Horizon West,” Dailey said. “We want it to grow every year and be bigger and better and have more of the community engaged and involved. It’s an event for people who call Horizon West home to come together and celebrate their pride in their community and embrace it, (to) understand Horizon West and how it’s unique and celebrate those things.”

“We’ve partnered with Healthy West Orange and Orlando Health for this event, and we really want to highlight the healthy living and quality (of life) here in Horizon West,” Lang added. “We really want to highlight the resources that we have … to live a healthier life.”