A frosty January for Gurnee Park District event

If you've ever tried scraping together a snowman with too little snow, Gurnee Park District's Frosty Fest is for you.

Organizers guarantee there will be enough snow on the ground on Friday, Jan. 23 to build multiple snowmen at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave.

Participants will be able to visit with Frosty the Snowman, take carriage rides, watch an ice sculpting showcase by professionals, enter a snowman building contest, and enjoy music and crafts in the "Snowflake Village" from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

It's the first major winter family event organized by the Gurnee Park District and could become an annual festival, said Jennifer Gilbert, marketing and public relations manager.

"In years past, we did a wintertime event before the holidays," Gilbert said. "We decided we're going to give it a shot in January. It would be great to kind of keep the winter fun and momentum going after the holidays.

"It makes it more of an all ages event because it is focused more on winter rather than Santa," she said.

While the recent snow might have been a pain for suburban motorists, Gilbert and other park district officials say it's great for the festival.

"This is going to make our event that much better because we can continue to do all the activities as planned because we're getting all the snow," Gilbert said. "We've always kind of joked around that somehow or the other Mother Nature is usually on our side."

The Warren Special Recreation Association will sponsor a number of outdoor activities, including snowshoe relay during Frosty Fest.

"There is something for everybody," Gilbert said. "It's really important that even though it's winter and it's cold out there, that people are getting out and getting active during the season."

Hot cocoa and snacks will be provided. No registration is required.