Celebrate the season at Winter Wonderland Dec. 7-8
You better watch out! You better not cry! Santa Claus is coming to town!
The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Des Plaines Park District, and the Frisbie Senior Center will host the annual Winter Wonderland, a two-day, free family festival, December 7 and 8, at the Frisbie Senior Center. The fest runs from 10:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and features free pictures with Santa; entertainment; kids' crafts, bingo, and face painting; a Holiday Bazaar; story time; delicious food and hot cocoa; model train displays; and everyone's favorite walk-around characters: Ronald McDonald, Skates, Kiwi the Clown, and Jewels the Clown. “Spend a few magical days with family and friends,” Linda Traina, Superintendent of Recreation, said. “This is the perfect way to ring in a joyful holiday season.”
Saturday's entertainment includes: 11:30am: Kids' entertainer, juggler, and unicycle rider, Ken Schultz–The Flying Fool; 12:30pm: Folkloric Ensemble Sol Azteca Dance Troupe; 2:00pm: Des Plaines Park District's In-house Dance Company, Artistry in Motion showcasing highlights from their upcoming Winter Spectacular; 3:00pm: Footnotes Theatre Troupe performing selections from the musica, Annie.
Sunday's entertainment includes: 10:00am: K-Hits Radio playing music and giving away prizes; 12:30pm: Grammy nominated children's singer-entertainer, Dave Rudolf; 2:00pm: O'Hare Irish dancers; 3:00pm: Footnotes Theatre Troupe performing selections from the musical, Annie.
On both Saturday and Sunday, balloon artist, Matthew Scherer will twist up some amazing creations; the Des Plaines Public Library will have story time from 11:00am to 1:30pm; and children can play bingo, make Santa and Snowman ornaments, have their face painted, and play games. Local artists will display beautiful hand-made holiday crafts and gifts at the Holiday Bazaar, and delicious food is available for purchase at the Cumberland Café. “In the spirit of the season, we will also have a food drive to benefit the Self Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines,” said Traina. “As we come together to celebrate, we hope that folks bring in a non-perishable food item to aid the many people living right here in Des Plaines who are in need. In exchange for a donation, the Cumberland Café will pour up a steaming up of coffee of hot chocolate.”
Admission to the festival is free, parking is free at the Frisbie Center and Lattof Y, and all entertainment, games, crafts, events, and photo opportunities are free. The Frisbie Senior Center is located at 52 E. Northwest Highway in Des Plaines, one block west of Mount Prospect Road. For more information, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700.
You better watch out! You better not cry! You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town!