Oak Brook plans Winterfest

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:40AM

The Oak Brook Park District will kick off its 50th anniversary celebration with the annual Winterfest in Central Park.

The festival will take place from 1-4 p.m. Sunday and again feature a community-sponsored ice rink, curling, activities and food.

“We’re bringing back some of our older events, weather permitting,” said Jessica Alexenko, marketing director of the Oak Brook Park District. “Ice skating was the first program the Park District offered when we were founded.

“It’s neat we can bring it back.”

The rink’s construction and maintenance is possible through donations from local community groups and sponsors. The Oak Brook Fire Department will again assist the Park District in flooding the rink with water in preparation for the event.

Curling with tea kettles, free ice skate rentals, wine tasting for adults, and relays and games on the ice rink are on tap.

Should there be enough of the white stuff, the Oak Brook Civic Association will conduct a snowman-building competition. If there is no snow, the contest will be modified indoors.

Traditional horse carriage rides through Central Park will be available.

A musical performance begins at 1 p.m. and children’s entertainment starts at 3 p.m.

“This is the first event of our 50th celebration,” Alexenko said, “but this is the 49th annual winter carnival in Oak Brook.”

The original festival began 49 years ago on what was once Paul Butler’s property and the Park District has teamed with the Civic Association and Oak Brook Historical Society to preserve the event’s historical integrity.

Concessions and drinks will be available for guests to purchase.

Information about the event can be found at www.obparks.org