Volo WinterFest this Sunday
Enjoying winter to its fullest: That's the official goal of Winter Fest at the Volo Bog State Natural Area.
The Friends of the Volo Bog will be hosting the 17th annual Winterfest this Sunday, Jan. 11 from noon to 4 p.m.
The event will feature live music, photo contest awards and winter-themed crafts indoors, while bog hikes will take place throughout the afternoon.
In addition, there will be snow-sculpting contests, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing throughout the afternoon - as long as Mother Nature does her part and blankets the area with snow.
Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki said the musical group "The Heartland Express" is kicking off its 40 year anniversary Sunday at the Bog. The folk music group is known for its outlandish outlook and witty sense of humor on stage.
"They play mainly folk music though they like to mix it up," she said. "They're very good and exceptionally funny and love to get the audience involved."
Iwanicki added awards will also be presented to the winners of the 22nd annual nature photo contest.
This year, Iwanicki said they received 115 entries from people across the Chicago area. First, second and third place will be awarded in seven categories, six that feature photos representative of nature within the Midwest. Best of show and technical excellence awards also will be given.
Also, she added, tours will be offered on the Volo Bog Interpretive Trail and the Tamarack View Trail five times through the day. In addition to the standard 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., tours also will be offered 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., with each tour running about 45 minutes.
The interpretive trail is a half-mile loop that leads visitors through each stage of bog succession. It is constructed of wooden dock sections, boardwalks and a wood chip path with brochures that are adapted for each season to show how the bog functions through the year.
The Tamarack View Trail is nearly 3 miles designed for hiking and cross-country skiing that takes visitors through woods, wetlands, field and prairie. It gives the opportunity to experience and enjoy the diverse communities within the park from higher elevations along the trail.
The Friends of Volo Bog sponsor the event and will have hot cocoa, cider and cookies for sale.
The Volo Bog is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources site in Ingleside, located Route 12 between routes 120 and 134 in Ingleside.
No reservations are required for the open house or the event.
For more information, people are asked to call (815) 344-1294 or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.