Lake Wonderland Returns to Light Up Lake Park

Sleigh bells will ring in the sixth annual Des Plaines Park District Lake Wonderland Winter Festival this year on Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lake Park, 1015 Howard Avenue. Across the entire park, thousands of twinkling lights and decorated trees will set the stage for the arrival of Santa Claus at noon on Saturday.

The festival's most popular events return this year including, horse drawn sleigh rides along the lake shore, indoor and outdoor winter games, arts and crafts, face painting, delicious food and hot cocoa, and ice craving demonstrations. The History Center will be serving roasted chestnuts and hosting a holiday bake sale.

Inside the two heated tents families can pose with Santa for free holiday pictures sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, meet their favorite characters including Ronald McDonald and Friends, Sky Guy from the WNBA, Skates, Hubert the Lion, Jewels the Clown, and Kiwi the Clown, and enjoy local entertainment.

The free live entertainment this year includes dance performances by Sol Azteca, The O'Hare Irish Dancers, and Artistry in Motion, the Des Plaines Park District's in house Dance Company.

Musical entertainment by Prospect Madrigal Singers, the Senior Center Note-Ables, the Maine West Choraliers, and the Des Plaines Singing Librarians will ring in the holidays with carols of the season. The Christ Church Handbell Ensemble and the Maine West Jazz Band will perform festive selections from their repertoire. The popular Siberian Huskies will be available for photos and a talk about the History of the Iditarod.

Admission to the festival is free, and with the exception of the horse drawn sleigh rides, ($5 for adults and $3 for children,) all events, games, crafts and photo opportunities are free at Lake Wonderland.

"The festival has become a tradition in Des Plaines," said Gayle Mountcastle, superintendent of recreation for the Des Plaines Park District. "We are very excited to kick off the holiday season and give back to the community at the same time," she continued.

The sponsors for Lake Wonderland 2010 are The Des Plaines Police Explorers Post 142, sponsoring the horse drawn-sleigh rides, and  Hot Shot Sports, sponsoring the main stage entertainment.

In the North Pole Tent, Viking Plumbing Services are sponsoring the arts and crafts and the Sports Emporium are sponsoring Face Painting. G. L. Hills Funeral Home is sponsoring the Ice Carving Demonstrations, and twenty three businesses and organizations are sponsoring lighted, decorated trees.

"We are so happy to be partnering with all of these businesses and organizations this year," Mountcastle said. "They have helped to make this festival a winter wonderland for our community."

For more information about Lake Wonderland call the Des Plaines Park District at 847-391-5700 or visit the website at DPParks.org