Inaugural Winter Fest coming to Oak Brook park

When you woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, what did you see?

Were you a little pale? Did your eyes have that January glaze? Did you twitch, just a tad, at the thought of another day hunkering down against the cold and snow.

Is that what’s troubling you, Bunkie?

Well, Jessica Alexenko knows how you feel and she thinks she has the perfect way to put that bounce back in your step: Oak Brook Park District’s inaugural Winter Fest.

The celebration, complete with both indoor and outdoor activities, is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at Central Park, near Jorie Boulevard and Forest Gate Road.

“It’s a great way to cure cabin fever, enjoy the beauty of Central Park and get some good exercise,” said Alexenko, sounding every bit the marketing and promotions manager she has been for the district since September.

The park district took over the festival, previously sponsored by the village, after being approached by the Oak Brook Civic Association that — along with the Oak Brook Women’s Club, Fastsigns in Oakbrook Terrace and others — helped provide funding for the event.

Because it’s a new thing for the park district, Alexenko said she’s not quite sure how many people will attend.

But those who do will find a variety of activities, including free skating on the district’s new Central Park ice rink, horse-drawn wagon rides, face-painting, indoor performances by a band called The Ambassadors and a guy known as The Flying Fool, who is actually Dave Rudolph, a juggler, stilt-walker and balloon animal craftsman.

Free skate rentals will help the district show off its ice rink, which also will be used for some races and other organized activities during the celebration.

The 90-by-140-foot rink opened for the first time in November and, unless the weather forecasters are suffering from their own case of the winter blahs, should be in prime shape for Sunday’s festivities.

All the events are free, Alexenko said, with the exception of food that will be for sale. And the combination of indoor and outdoor events should insulate participants from any unexpected weather woes.

Alexenko said she’s hoping for a huge turnout and to give residents an excuse to ease away from the fireplace and feel a little sun, or maybe even snow, on their face.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing everybody enjoying being outside in the winter,” she said.

If you go

What: Oak Brook Park District’s Winter Fest

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30

Where: Central Park, Jorie Boulevard and Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook

Cost: Free

Info: obparks.org