Winterfest season returns to Kings Island after skipping the doomed 2020 Covid-19 year.

In his supervisory position, Gavin Wright understands that Winterfest creates time for a cool down at the end of the year after having a busy summer and Halloween Haunt season.

“Winterfest in my opinion is a nice time to look back on the memories you’ve made over the year and see how you have progressed as a person and how far you have progressed through working all year,” Wright said.

Compared to Halloween Haunt and the regular summer season, Winterfest is fairly slow for the staff–fewer guests, fewer rides and restaurants open, less staff needed. For the returning workers, it grows to be a dull time. The associates, especially in the restaurants, focus on detailed cleaning and organization to prepare for an easy-open next season.

“It’s slower around this time, so we aren’t scrambling for anything and everything like we usually are, and it’s also a good time to really build a connection with the people you either didn’t talk to or just have never actually met before. I don’t know how to describe how it feels to be back. It’s a little mixed up right now because I’m thinking ‘oh the season is almost over and I can finally start to relax a little bit and take a break from things’,” Wright said.

The workers are thankful for this season’s opening, allowing income to keep flowing, but many have to seek a second job due to the mandatory 13-week break. A good handful of workers are still in school, so they try to wait out the break and focus on their education.

“You realize that the season is almost over so either you need to get another job or you kinda wing it and hopefully survive the next three months you have off and another thing is you look back in everything that’s happened either bad or good and you tell yourself how fast life is moving and what things you’ll miss and people you’ve built a better connection with over the season. It sucks to think about it but it’s something everyone really thinks about when it comes to this time of year,” Wright said.

During Winterfest, guests and workers are able to walk all around the park, not including the waterpark, to view the beautiful lights and decorations that have been set up.

“I think Winterfest is pretty good. I just wish there was more to do for the workers, but overall I think it just has a good vibe. The lights all around look beautiful and there are many fun things to do as a guest,” rides associate Ashton Conte said.

Whether cold or warm, the staff understands that memories can be made with friends and family.

“I believe that Winterfest is fun and has a great atmosphere for friends and family who are looking to escape reality and join a winter wonderland close to their home,” security guard Stevie Fisher said.