Some children spent the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday off from school Monday participating in the free “Watts Below Zero” winter festival at Watts Center in Glencoe.
“Our winter carnival, Watts Below Zero, is a long-standing Glencoe tradition,” said Glencoe Park District spokeswoman Erin Classen. “After a hiatus last year, we’re back with a great line-up of activities for families to enjoy. We designed the day to be safe, by spreading out activities and keeping everything outdoors.”
The winter carnival featured ice bumper cars, antique carriage rides, dog sled demonstrations, winter laser tag, open skate, color the snow mound and food trucks.
Robby Zar, of Glencoe brought his son, Everett Zar, 9, out to the event.
“I’m super impressed,” Robby Zar said about the carnival.
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Carolyn Brougham, of Kenilworth, and her children Charlotte, 7, and Margaret, 5, were among the first patrons to take an antique carriage ride around the neighborhood.
“It’s great to spend the weekend celebrating the community, which is something that Martin Luther obviously was a big proponent of,” Carolyn Brougham said. “It’s great to bring community together and (is) a really great opportunity to do things we might not otherwise get to do.”
Allen and Cameo Sabey, of Morton Grove, rode the ice bumper cars on the ice rink in the company of their children Jane, 7, Lucy, 9, and Leo, 11.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to be together and celebrate in a fun way,” said Allen Sabey.
Jessica Raskin, of Deerfield, held her 3-year-old Scarlett in her arms while waiting to participate in an ice rink activity.
“I love having options of something to do in the winter,” Jessica Raskin said.
Raskin said a Park District event planned on MLK Day builds community.
“I’m just happy we can all be here, every single person who wants to be here, and for free, together,” Raskin said.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.