An estimated 500 people attended the rescheduled Subzero Shenanigans at the Weinberg Family Recreation Center on Feb. 19 in Glencoe on a Presidents’ Day off of school.
Subzero Shenanigans was moved from Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January due to weather but Monday’s sunny and mild temps were perfect for the two-hour event hosted by the Glencoe Park District.
Amenities for pass holders included ice skating, ice rink bumper cars, an indoor dance party with balloons and games, axe throwing in an outdoors trailer by a Northbrook company and a ski lodge setting with cozy blanketed seating inside to warm up.
A fireplace was going indoors in the ski lodge and the outside wood burning fireplace also warmed attendees while setting a festive tone along the outdoor rinks.
The large snow hill painted in previous years was not possible due to melting warmer weather but facial and hand painting done indoors drew smiles on the faces of kiddies.
“It’s just a community event, a day off of school, family and kids come and have fun,” said Executive Director of the Glencoe Park District Lisa Sheppard.
“I think we were one of the first refrigerated outdoor ice rinks in the state of Illinois,” Sheppard said referring to the Weinberg Family Recreation Center across from Watts Park. “People come out here and it’s just like taking them back in time and they’re skating outside with their family and the music’s playing, it’s just an authentic, special experience.”
Charlie and Jacquie Phillips of Winnetka skated with their children Sloane, 3, and Parker, 4.
“That’s what I like doing here, spending time with my kids and teaching them ice skating, which is a lifelong amazing opportunity,” Charlie Phillips said.
Will Kallop of Kenilworth also skated with children George, 3, and Jack, 11, a fifth-grader. Jack was seen skating with friends and playing ice tag.
“I just like to come out and skate, it’s great to have the outdoor rink,” Will Kallop said.
Ryne and Amy Tennant of Glencoe spent time indoors with their daughter Margot Tennant, 5, a kindergartner, watching Margot have her face painted by makeup artist Diane Hardy of Des Plaines.
Amy Tennant said Subzero Shenanigans as an event is, “really cute.”
Ryne Tennant said about the family enjoys coming to the Weinberg Family Recreation Center for ice skating
Subzero Shenanigans is also an opportunity for Margot, “to see her friends from school,” Ryne Tennant added.
Rachel Adams, 8, a third-grader from Glencoe, was among the first youngsters to try the ice bumper cars. There was a paper number system to help manage demand.
“This is one of our favorite events,” said Rachel’s mother Michelle Adams of Subzero Shenanigans. “We got sad that it got too cold to do the Subzero (Shenanigans) last time (in January), so now we get to do it now, and today is a beautiful weather day.”
“We love the new Weinberg Family Recreation Center,” Rachel’s father Rob Adams said. “It’s one of the things that’s keeping us in Glencoe.”
Lisa Sheppard said the rest of 2024 has abundance in store by the Glencoe Park District including recreational programming and special events.
“We have so much to look forward to,” Sheppard said.
Check out the Glencoe Park District offerings at https://glencoeparkdistrict.com.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
