Every year is different when it comes to what folks can do in the snow outdoors at the annual Winter Fest in Volo Bog, said Stacy Iwanicki — but indoors, people can always hear live music, view the entries in the nature photography contest and enjoy arts and crafts.
This year, a Native American musician who’s performed for the Dali Lami as well as a well-known fiddle player will entertain the audience.
“Winter Fest is a way to enjoy the season both indoors and outdoors,” Iwanicki said.
“When the stars align and the snow is packable, people can participate in the snow sculpting contest,” with prizes awarded in four categories, she said. “Sometimes it’s too cold and it doesn’t compact. Some years, there’s too much snow or not enough snow,” but other years, it’s perfect for folks to get creative.
Anyone can create a sculpture from snow – even a flat turtle, she said. “But the best one ever was a ‘ginormous’ coyote. They used their dog as a model. It was just beautiful. It certainly took the prize in the adult category. The ironic thing is the following week, the temps climbed into the 60s and melted it down into nothing. Only a little blob of snow was left.”
During Winter Fest, visitors can bring their cross-country skis or show shoes and head down the Tamarack Trail, or they can take a free 45-minute winter bog tour with sessions beginning at 12:30 p.m. and continuing to 3 p.m. Registration is not required and participants can meet under the oak tree next to the visitor center a few minutes before the tour begins.
Indoors, children can participate in crafts guided by the Volo Bog Youth Art Guild.
Iwanicki said she’s excited about Mark Cleveland playing Native American and other music during the fest. He’s recorded with Yo-Yo Ma and performed at Millennium Park in Chicago during the Tibetan National Cultural Exhibition. “He plays more than 20 instruments,” she said.
Joining Cleveland will be Jordi Kleiner, called one of Chicagoland’s most sought-after fiddle players. A classically trained violinist, Kleiner performs Irish, folk and blues music.
Chris Strong, who plays guitar, banjo, ukulele and kazoo; and Wendy Proulx Bruce who plays piano, guitar, ukulele and flute; also will perform. Bruce will guide the audience in a sing-along.
“We’ve got some amazing musicians this year,” Iwanicki said.
In between music sets, the Volo Bag staff will announce the winners of the annual photo contest.
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Since October, bog visitors have been casting their votes for their favorite photographs in eight categories including monochrome, color vertebrates and nature in the Midwest.
One of the most memorable photographs entered in the contest for Iwanicki was of a muskrat holding a fish it was eating, she said. “Most people think of muskrats as being an herbivore, but I’ve come to believe that many of the animals we think of as herbivores are actually omnivorous (meaning they eat both plants and animals). The photos will be hanging for visitors to admire during the fest, and Friends of Volo Bog will be selling refreshments including hot cocoa, soda and cookies.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Winter Fest
When: Noon-4 p.m., Jan. 15
Where: Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside
Tickets: Free. Donations accepted.
Information: 815.344.1294. www.friendsofvolobog.org