Winterfest packed inside and out

Disregard Sunday's weather forecast because the winter will be wild at Spring Brook Nature Center.

Co-sponsored by the nature center and the Itasca Park District, Winterfest will offer activities from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday that will focus on how winter affects animals, plants and people.

This year's event, however, is themed, "It's a Wild Winter," and the focus will be on critters and creatures not typically found in climates that will likely exist Sunday. That include a wide range of reptiles and amphibians from the Gypsy Reptiles and Animal Friends, and the Chicago Herpetological Society.

"We'll still have the ice carving contest and sled dog displays that people associate with the fest," said center director Fred Maier. "But we'll also be introducing some turtles, reptiles and amphibians that you wouldn't normally see."

Maier said the fest always has several warm-indoor activities for those brave enough to attend Winterfest and later realize they like the warm indoors better.

"We've learned through the years that a cold and snowy Winterfest is going to draw more people but we can't count on that," Maier said. "We don't need snow, but it's a bonus. So we keep some snow-independent activities up our sleeves."

Outside, visitors will try their hands at ice-carving, take a ride through the nature center grounds on the returning horse-drawn wagons and watch a presentation by the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Chicago.

The event's popular finale, the falcon flying demonstration, will return to close out the event.

"It's by far, one of the most popular events we do," Maier said. "Everyone loves to watch the falcon flying around."

Free parking is available off the south corner of Irving Park Road and Catalpa Streets in Itasca at the Itasca Water Park and other nearby parking lots. For more information, contact the nature center at (630) 773-5572 or visit www.itascanaturecenter.com.