Things to do this weekend January 9-11

By: Jonathan Jones 01/06/2015

The lights are back in their boxes, the tree has been disregarded at the curb and it’s time to return to reality. It’s as hard for you to go back to work as it is for your children going back to school. Lake County has the weekend lineup for you to ease into the work grind, while including the kids in family festivities.

Since many are still on the dash to after holiday sales at Gurnee Mills, Deer Park Town Center or Westfield Hawthorn, treating your kids to winter fun in the snow at the five following events, are sure to lift you and your children’s spirits.

1.) Gurnee's Frosty Fest

****Postponed. The event is rescheduled for February 27th****

Don’t have the blues because the holiday season is over! The Gurnee Frosty Fest cures what ails you. Bring the whole family around for an evening of family fun in the snow. The Gurnee Park District offers dog sled demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice sculpting, music, arts and crafts. What better way to spend your Friday night than playing in reindeer games while munching on some S’mores. There’s also no fest in Gurnee without the likes of Frosty the Snowman. Visit with this jolly happy soul. You can help Frosty make Snowman friends with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal. No preregistration is required in this snowy affair. Bittersweet Golf Course, 875 Almond Road, Gurnee, IL 60031

2.) Volo Bog Winterfest

 Sunday January 11th 12-4pm

Looking to make Sunday a fun day? The Volo Bog State Natural Area is kicking off 2015 with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. If you would rather enjoy the crisp chills and pristine snow, you can take a stroll on winter bog hikes, become Picasso while competing in snow sculpting contests, or show your Winter Olympian skills by cross-country skiing. If your interest is to stay indoors, you can enjoy live music and storytelling, photo contest awards and other arts and crafts.

The Friends of Volo Bog will be selling your favorite winter treats throughout the afternoon like cookies, hot cocoa and coffee. Donations are accepted. Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road Ingleside, IL 60041.

3.) The President’s Photographer: 50 Years inside the Oval Office Exhibit

January 10-11th: ***Final Days***

If you haven’t seen this exhibit that is stored with historic presidential goodies, the Lake County Discovery Museum is where you need to be. Three-time Emmy Award winner John Bredar, who assembled this display, shows you photos from the first-hired official presidential photographer in 1963 to present-day coverage of President Barack Obama.

Bredar has brought award winning footage from documentaries such as National Geographic Channel’s Predators at War, Combat Cameramen of World War II and Field of Honor.

This exhibit also features works from veteran presidential photographers such as David Hurne Kennerly (Gerald Ford), David Valdez (George H.W. Bush), Bob McNeely (Bill Clinton), Eric Draper (George W. Bush), Pete Souza (Barack Obama) and others. There’s no more time to waste. This is the final weekend to enjoy the artistic snapshots favorite presidents! Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road Wauconda, IL 60084

4.) Chicago Botanic Garden’s Weekend Family Class Featuring Hot Chocolate

January 10th 9:30-11am or 1-2:30pm

This event for adults and children (ages 4-10 years old), will learn the connection between plants, science, art, history and culture. The truth of South American plants is revealed by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Certain chilies and chocolates are created by this plant life. Discover how desserts are made from the cacao tree, and bitter beans. Chocolate drinks have been made from this plant since the Ancient Aztecs roamed the earth.

Participants will take home a chocolate mint, and chocolate pepper plant so you can explore your own tasty creations. You must register online and children must be accompanied by an adult. Chicago Botanic Garden 1000, Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022.

5.) Highland Park's Winter Fest

January 10th, 2:30-4:30 pm

The Centennial Ice Arena is proud to host a free indoor/outdoor family festival. From showing off your acrobatic moves, your slap shot skills and/or your figure skating routine, the arena offers gymnastics, hockey and figure skating during this afternoon fun.

The Centennial Ice skating instructors will be roaming around the ice to provide skating lessons to those who are just learning to glide on the ice.

The free admission festival also teaches you how bees, coyotes and other wildlife survive the Lake County winter. You may even be able to say hello to one of the wandering winter animals.

You also have the opportunity to celebrate wintertime by creating crafts, taking part in carriage rides or snow shoeing through the winter wonderland.

Centennial Ice Arena, 3100 Trail Way, Highland Park, IL