Lombard's Winter Carnival offers free family fun

Please back away from the TV. Put down your snow shovel. Halt any other humdrum winter activity.

Think games, fun, laughing.

It's time for Lombard Park District's annual Winter Carnival from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Lombard Community Building, 433 W. St. Charles Road.

“It's going to be a long winter,” said Rick Poole, Lombard Park District's deputy director, “and this is a chance for families to get together and get out.” The free event includes both indoor and outdoor activities. Indoors, fun makers include carnival games, bounce houses, balloon animals, juggling and a magic show.

Outdoors, the Gold Medal express train runs and, snow permitting, there will be family snowman building.

#8220;Shake the sleep away from you and get out and do something with the family,#8221; said Matt Fairbanks, the park district's program manager.

The winter event kicks off the park district's year of activities, which includes a free event each season.

#8220;It's kind of a quiet time of year,#8221; Fairbanks said. #8220;Just come out and enjoy the games and enjoy the atmosphere. It's a free event, so take advantage of it.#8221;

Park district planners say they're hoping for some snow to make for some additional fun outdoors.

#8220;We're supposed to get some flurries,#8221; Poole said. #8220;It would be nice to see some white out there.#8221;

But if not, the carnival will go on.

Food will be for sale.

For information, call (630) 620-7322 or visit lombardparks.org.

If you go

What: Lombard Park District's Winter Carnival

When: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Where: Lombard Community Building, 433 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 620-7322 or lombardparks.org