The Monday Parks PlayBook: Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?

This weekend, take time with friends and family and enjoy Winter Wonderland, a two-day, free family festival, December 7 and 8, at the Frisbie Senior Center. The fest runs from 10:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and features free pictures with Santa; entertainment; kids’ crafts, bingo, and face painting; a Holiday Bazaar; story time; delicious food and hot cocoa; model train displays; and everyone’s favorite walk-around characters: Ronald McDonald, Skates, Kiwi the Clown, and Jewels the Clown.

Saturday’s entertainment includes: 11:30am: Kids’ entertainer, juggler, and unicycle rider, Ken Schultz–The Flying Fool; 12:30pm: Folkloric Ensemble Sol Azteca Dance Troupe; 2:00pm: Des Plaines Park District’s In-house Dance Company, Artistry in Motion showcasing highlights from their upcoming Winter Spectacular; 3:00pm: Footnotes Theatre Troupe performing selections from the musical, Annie.

Sunday’s entertainment includes: 10:00am: K-Hits Radio playing music and giving away prizes; 12:30pm: Grammy nominated children’s singer-entertainer, Dave Rudolf; 2:00pm: O’Hare Irish dancers; 3:00pm: Footnotes Theatre Troupe performing selections from the musical, Annie.

On both Saturday and Sunday, balloon artist, Matthew Scherer will twist up some amazing creations; the Des Plaines Public Library will have story time from 11:00am to 1:30pm; and children can play bingo, make Santa and Snowman ornaments, have their face painted, and play games. Local artists will display beautiful hand-made holiday crafts and gifts at the Holiday Bazaar, and delicious food is available for purchase at the Cumberland Café.

Admission to the festival is free, parking is free at the Frisbie Center and Lattof Y, and all entertainment, games, crafts, events, and photo opportunities are free.

The Frisbie Senior Center is located at 52 E. Northwest Highway in Des Plaines, one block west of Mount Prospect Road. For more information, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700.

And don’t forget…

Printed copies of the Winter 2014 Spectrum Program and Events Guide are now available in all Des Plaines Park District facilities, at the Des Plaines Public Library, the Des Plaines History Center, the Frisbie Senior Center, and City Hall. Pick one up! It is also available 24/7 on our website at www.DPParks.org. You can read the book online or download a copy to read at your leisure. Registration opens December 9.

See you around the parks.