Kids come out for first Villa Park Winterfest

Instead of letting children sit indoors watching TV or playing video games on their school holiday, staff at the Villa Park Recreation Department encouraged them to get out and play during the first-ever Winterfest.

The event for ages 6 and older drew about 25 children, all of whom joined in activities like a scavenger hunt, sled races, a snowball-throwing contest and snowshoe races on Monday at Lions Park.

"We really wanted to get the kids outside, enjoying the winter weather," said Steve Munsie, program supervisor for the recreation department.

Although movies, crafts and games also were available for children who got too chilly, most opted to stay outdoors for all of the four-hour event.

Munsie said he considers the first Winterfest a success and hopes to continue it next year. He's also keeping his fingers crossed for perfect winter weather to strike again.

"The snow conditions were great and, at this time last year, you wouldn't have had tall snow drifts and snow that was the perfect consistency for building snowmen or snowballs," he said. "You never know what you're going to get."