Approximately 700 people were expected to attend this year’s Frosty Fest on Saturday at Viking Park, an annual event presented by the Gurnee Park District.
The sun was out, but temperatures hovered around the 15-degree mark. Fortunately for those in attendance, the dance hall was open for activities and warming up.
Frosty Fest provides examples of the recreational opportunities available to people.
“We have something for everybody,” according to Mary Lester, the Park District’s supervisor of community programming and events.
Registration for summer camp starts soon with the release of the spring brochure, she said. “We just proofed our camp guide, so it’s ready to go out,” she added.
Complimentary amenities included a hot cocoa bar, with helping hands adding requested fixings such as whipped cream, sprinkles and crushed candy canes among toppings.
Anjali Shah and daughter Rianshi, 7, along with Pooja Joshi and daughter Shanaya, 6, all of Gurnee, visited the hot chocolate station.
“We really appreciate (the Park District),” Joshi said. “We really look forward to (Frosty Fest) every year.”
Offerings included s’mores-making at staff-monitored open outside fires, an inflatable snow globe attraction, craft tables inside and ice block tables outdoors, plus horse-drawn sleigh rides. Ice carvers were present, as well as photo-opportunity backdrops.
Emilia Ban, 10, and brother Jackson, 4, of Grayslake, waited for a sleigh ride with parents Tamas and Eniko.
“This is an annual tradition,” Tamas Ban said. “We do this all the time. So much fun.”
Going inside the snow globe were Corey Jeffers of Wadsworth with son Cason, 2, and daughter Kenedee, 3. Their mother Amanda stayed outside the snow globe to watch the children try the sloped interior with their father. This was the first time the Jeffers family attended Frosty Fest.
“It’s nice,” Corey Jeffers said.
For a 2025 New Year’s resolution, Amanda Jeffers would like Cason and Kenedee to “just continue to be happy, and make a lot of friends and enjoy life.”
New this year was the iceless skating rink. Think of ice skating on a larger rectangular rink that has a synthetic surface slippery enough to mimic skating on real ice.
“It’s fun for the kids to try it,” Lester said. “You don’t have to buy ice skates to do it.”
Trying the skating rink was the Kelley family of Mundelein. Cooper Kelley, 3, was a good sport each time he fell, but hand-holding with parents David and Becky helped to make the iceless skating experience a pleasant memory-maker.
“It’s a really nice event.” Becky Kelley said.
Cooper’s sister, Lilia, 11, also participated in the many activities, such as visiting with characters Elsa and Anna from the popular “Frozen” franchise. Cooper had his photo taken with the renowned Disney characters.
Lilia said her winter break, “was a lot of fun.”
Gurnee Mayor Thomas B. Hood attended and looks forward to the rest of 2025.
“Gurnee’s well-positioned and it’s looking like it’s going to be a great year,” Hood said. “2025 is bright.”
