Get out and enjoy the winter weather

If you're searching for a way to celebrate winter this weekend, the folks at the DuPage County Forest Preserve have just the ticket.

They have organized an event that focuses on showing the public how to enjoy the forest preserve's many amenities and roughly 25,000 acres of land during the winter season.

The Wonders of Winter fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Mayslake Forest Preserve, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook.

"A lot of people lock themselves indoors and watch TV in the winter," DuPage County Forest Preserve Ranger Al Gorski said. "We want to let them know there are a lot of activities here."

Gorski and Ranger Cori Chambers have spent months organizing the event. Visitors can learn how to go ice fishing and snowshoeing, or watch water rescue demonstrations.

Interested treasure hunters can check out GPS units and search for a number of small prizes that have been hidden on the property. Other activities will range from a variety of outdoor demonstrations to indoor crafts.

If the weather gets too cold, visitors will be able to warm up inside the Peabody Mansion and learn about Native American cultures or participate in crafts.

Another big attraction will be animals. The Willowbrook Wildlife Center will bring a few of its raptors for display and explain their hunting patterns and how they live during the cold season.

Horses from the Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton will offer wagon rides, and volunteers from Petco will give away little prizes and offer advice on how to properly dress their pets during the winter.

"We have an awful lot of stuff," Gorski said. "Our goal is to really get people out year-round and enjoy where their tax dollars go."

If you go

What: Wonders of Winter festival

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today

Where: Mayslake Forest Preserve, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook

Cost: Free

Details: (630) 933-7200

[file photo: gewinter_4ne203007cs]

chet susslin/Daily Herald File Photo, 2007

Nancy White, from the Willowbrook Wildlife Center, shows off a bird of pray at the Wonders of Winter fest last year. Raptors will appear again this year.