Snow or no snow, WinterFest offers plenty of activities

Celebrate the season at Volo Bog State Natural Area with the annual WinterFest, presented by the Friends of Volo Bog with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The event will take place from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, and will feature both indoor and outdoor activities.

Indoors, guests take part in Winter Nature Crafts from 1-4 p.m. Awards will be presented for Volo Bog's annual photo contest from 1-1:30 p.m. Live bluegrass and "newgrass" music will be performed by the River Valley Rangers from 1:30-4 p.m.

Outdoors, bog tours will set out at 11 a.m. and 12:30, 1, 1:30, 2, 2:15, 2:30 and 3 p.m. Hiking will be available, along with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing if there's snow. A snow sculpting contest with youth, teen, adult and family categories will also be held if packable snow is available.

Admission is free with a suggested donation for the band of $5 for adults.

For information, call (815) 344-1294, email dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or visit www.friendsofvolobog.org.

Volo Bog State Natural Area is at 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside.