Take a hike through Volo Bog at Winter Fest

Winter is beautiful at Volo Bog, more than any other time of year, Stacy Iwanicki said.

Volo Bog State Natural Area will offer fun outdoors including tours and snow sculpting -- weather permitting -- and a break from the cold with music, crafts and food at its annual Winter Fest Sunday.

"Come outside and enjoy the Volo Bog," said Iwanicki, natural resource coordinator.

Festivities will run from noon to 4 p.m. Volo Bog State Natural Area is off Route 12 between routes 120 and 134 in Ingleside.

Tours will be offered five times through the day. In addition to the standard 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Iwanicki said tours also will be offered 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Each tour will run 45 minutes.

"No matter when you stop in, you can take a bog tour and more," she said.

If the weather cooperates, children, adults and families also can join a snow sculptures contest to win awards that will be presented indoors at 3:45 p.m.

Iwanicki added visitors also are invited to hike (or ski, if there is snow) over the five miles of winter trails between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Indoors, Lee Murdock will entertain at the top of each hour as he tells stories through songs of life on the Great Lakes. He combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk style with a flair of storytelling.

"His music sweeps you into the stories," Iwanicki said.

In between sets, awards will be presented to the winners of the 21st annual nature photo contest.

This year, Iwanicki said they received 155 entries from people across the Chicago area including Libertyville, Mundelein, Island Lake, Round Lake, Poplar Grove and Algonquin. 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 inside, guests can make crafts on the second floor of the visitors center or purchase cookies, hot cocoa and coffee sold by the Friends of the Volo Bog.

For more information, call (815) 344-1294 or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.