WORTH TWP — Cassandra Dixon, president of the Moraine Preservation Fund, gazed around at the teeming mass of humanity at McDanels Launch at midday on Saturday.

“Without even seeing the counter at the entrance to the park, this is the largest turnout I’ve seen,” she said, as the icicles in her winter-themed tiara caught the bright sunlight.

Dixon was referring to Winterfest 2024, which was a smash hit among old, young and everyone in between who attended the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Moraine State Park.

Park rangers turned vehicles away from the entrance to McDanels Launch, where a large parking lot filled up quickly after the start of Winterfest.

Motorists were diverted to the bicycle rental area of the park, where a full-size school bus serving as a shuttle could only load less than half the 100-plus people waiting in line to be driven to the festival.

Once the parking lot at the bike rental filled up, which took mere minutes, festivalgoers parked in the grass along North Shore Drive.

Dixon attributed the record-smashing crowd to a few different factors.

She said the event has grown steadily over the last few years and was shared over and over on social media. The mild, sunny weather made for a temperate atmosphere.

“The weather is definitely in our favor,” Dixon said. “Blue skies and warm.”

Free swag bags available to those who attended were gone within the first hour of Winterfest, and 300 tickets for the scavenger hunt sold out early, she said.

She said the horse-drawn wagon rides had a long line all day, and returning band Well Strung Bluegrass was a favorite as usual.

“People have brought their own chairs because they are such a draw,” Dixon said of the band as an impressive rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” rang from the pavilion where the band played.

Chain saw artist Damien Skal had wood chips flying at his demonstration booth, where he effortlessly carved bears and other statues from large pieces of wood.

“He’s very entertaining,” Dixon said. “His stuff is beautiful.”

Demonstrations and interactive displays at Winterfest included fly-fishing lessons on a large deck at the launch, and attendees could try their hand at tossing a disc at the Pittsburgh Flying Disc booth.

Tamarack Wildlife Club displayed an opossum, falcon and owl at the festival, and Husky Paws Rescue answered questions while showing off their fluffy canines.

The Public Lands booth hosted hikes and ran out of giveaways; a pavilion encased in plastic to serve as a warming center was brimming with chilly patrons; and the Dutch Oven Baking group demonstrated making a pizza in a cast iron Dutch oven.

The line to order a meal or snack at the Fairground Market trailer stretched the entire length of the food section at the festival, where snow cones, ice cream, kettle corn and other snacks also were available.

Shoppers perused the candles, lotions, jewelry, clothing, home décor, travel mugs, fresh-ground coffee and other items available for purchase at Winterfest.

“I bought a ‘shacket,’” said Chris Tesla, of Pittsburgh, as she held up the heavy, button-down flannel garment.

Tesla saw an advertisement for Winterfest and decided to make the trip north with a friend on Saturday.

“It sounded pretty cool and it is nice,” she said. “I was going to get something to eat, but the line is pretty long.”

John Maze, of Butler Township, took advantage of the fire table surrounded by a few benches and seats as the chilly air came off the lake.

“I have spring fever and I wanted to get outside,” Maze said of his reasoning for attending Winterfest.

He appreciated the weather’s cooperation with his desire to visit Winterfest 2024.

“I don’t mind snow, but I’m loving this sunny day,” Maze said.

He gave kudos to Moraine Preservation Fund for planning and carrying out Winterfest 2024.

“Moraine is one of our local treasures,” Maze said. “I do hope they get more food vendors next year.”

Finn Reese, 6, said he ate a snow cone and tried his hand at disc golf at the festival. He played with other children on a hillside as he waited in line for a ride on the horse-drawn carriage pulled by two huge, black Percheron draft horses.

Asked why Winterfest 2024 is an important event to hold every year, the McQuistion Elementary School student replied “Just so people can come here and have fun.”

Chase Hutchison, 8, said he most enjoyed seeing the owl and falcon, and might try disc golf this summer after having tried it out at Winterfest 2024.

Chase, who attends Northwest Elementary School, summed up the reasoning used by all the smiling people who attended Winterfest 2024 Saturday.

“You get to do a lot of stuff,” he said.