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Cardboard sled races to help highlight Addison's Winterfest

The organizers of Addison Park District's fourth annual Winterfest celebration have a deep, dark secret.

If you've never been, Winterfest is the kind of free (but weather-dependent) community event designed to help residents shake off a touch of their cabin fever and spend some time frolicking in the snow with all sorts of cool, or even cold, events ranging from cardboard sled races, to snow golf and volleyball, to horse-drawn wagon rides from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in Community Park, 120 E. Oak St.

But talk separately to Kelly Sisco, the district's youth and leisure supervisor, or Deb Pfaff, its marketing and communications supervisor, and another picture begins to emerge.

Ask them their favorite part of the celebration and they'll tell you it doesn't involve snow or exercise, or frosty red cheeks at all.

Go ahead, ask them and they'll tell you their favorite part of Winterfest is the s'mores roasting station. You know: chocolate and marshmallows and graham crackers, and lots of calories.

"I am," Pfaff admits without a whole lot of pressure, "a sucker for s'mores."

Of course, both Sisco and Pfaff are quick to point out they're fans of more than just munching on a gooey guilty pleasure or two … or three.

They say those willing to brave the outdoors on Sunday can participate in traditional cold weather events such as snowman building and, new this year, snowshoe races. For those interested in not-so-traditional activities, there's another new event this time around: cardboard sled races.

You can bring your own sled to Community Park's hill, of course, but Sisco says organizers were scrounging around for cardboard early this week so folks can try their hands - and, yes, butts - at sliding down on a corrugated version of Rosebud.

Pfaff likens the races to a winter version of the cardboard boat regattas that dot the region in the summer - only these are more likely to end with a slide than a splash.

Because the event is new this year, nobody's quite sure how it will turn out, but Pfaff is hopeful a few hearty souls may get creative and build some cardboard sleds that add a little color and pizazz to the affair.

Elsewhere in the park, volleyball players will get a chance to play their sport in the snow and golfers will have the opportunity to take aim at a circle painted in the white stuff, complete with a flag stick. You also can take a ride around the park in a horse-drawn wagon that Pfaff says provides a "Norman Rockwell touch of winter."

For those who prefer their January activities inside a heated building, Sisco says the district will offer bingo, family games, a room filled with inflatables, a craft show and more.

If all goes well, the district hopes between 500 and 1,000 people attend the three-hour event.

For details, visit addisonparks.org or call (630) 233-7275.

Just one piece of advice that's probably not going to be on the website: You might want to beat Sisco and Pfaff to the s'mores line.

  Everyone, it seems, looks forward to the s'mores at Addison Park District's Winterfest. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com/JANUARY 2013

If you go

What: Addison Park District Winterfest

When: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18

Where: Community Park, 120 E. Oak St., Addison

Cost: Free

Info: addisonparks.org or (630) 233-7275

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