Carnaval Maine raises $25K for Westbrook nonprofit

Photo / Tim Greenway The first-ever Carnaval Maine, which included a ticketed ball inside an igloo, attracted an estimated audience of more than 10,000 people, according to the organizer.

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By Renee Cordes

The recent Carnaval Maine winter festival in Portland raised a greater-than-expected $25,000 for WinterKids, a Westbrook-based nonprofit that promotes cold-weather activities and recreation for children.

A spokesperson for Shamrock Signature, a division of Portland-based Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, said Friday that $10,000 of that amount was raised from ticket proceeds, matched by an anonymous $10,000 donation and $5,000 from the ticketed Snow Ball. The ball was held inside a "Bites & Brew" inflatable igloo with live DJ music, craft beers and local foods.

Shamrock estimates that more than 10,000 people attended the inaugural event, promising more to come next year and beyond.

"Winter is a magical time of year in Maine, and we applaud efforts of all who played key roles to make this dream a reality. Together we encouraged people of all ages to embrace Maine’s winter season and showcase award winning culinary, brewing, outdoor recreation and other epic experiences,” said Brian Corcoran, CEO of Shamrock Sports Entertainment. “We look forward to a bigger, better and best Carnaval Maine in 2021 and beyond.”

As the event's beneficiary, WinterKids received proceeds from all ticket sales and special events.

'No words can express our appreciation of the $25,000 gift we received as Carnaval Maine beneficiary," said Julie Mulkern, executive director of WinterKids, in a news release. "We are grateful to Carnaval Maine and their presenting partners such as the Maine Office of Tourism, Norway Savings Bank, L.L.Bean and all the other sponsors for their generosity."

'Shot in the arm' economic impact

In an On the Record Interview with Mainebiz published in January, Corcoran spoke of his longer-term vision for Carnaval and its economic impact.

"Our dream is three to five years from now, we deliver the hotels and restaurants such a big shot in the arm of economic impact, they then find their own way to create extensions of Carnaval in terms of special events and experiences."

Luke Holden, founder and CEO of Luke's Lobster, was equally enthusiastic after participating in this year's event, saying: 'We're confident the best is yet to come for Carnaval Maine.”

The winter event is one of three organized by Shamrock Signature, along with the Portland Pops July 4th celebration and the upcoming Live + Work in Maine Open pro golf tournament in Falmouth in June.