Snow covered the ground just in time this weekend to add a festive flair to the second annual Wilmette Winterfest.
This community celebration brought neighbors and families out into the brisk sunshine, for a festival ode to all things winter, co-sponsored by the Village of Wilmette and the Wilmette-Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce.
Lisa Roberts, assistant community development director for the Village of Wilmette, says the event started during Wilmette’s sesquicentennial year in 2022, and was so successful, they decided to hold it again.
“By the end of February, everybody has made it to the end of winter, and ready to get out into the sunshine again,” Roberts said. “It’s a way to celebrate our village culture and community, while bringing traffic to our downtown businesses, restaurants, performing arts organizations, and the theater.”
Nick Wallace of Wilmette attended Saturday with family, saying, “There is such a great energy in downtown Wilmette and the village offers ways for families to be active even in winter, we just want to be a part of that.”
Saturday’s free event was held from noon until 4 p.m., and featured activities on the Green; an ice sculpture demonstration by Nate Johnson Studios, a live DJ, free hot cocoa and performances from Skunkworks Dance, North Shore Music and Studio North Academy of the Performing Arts.
Local businesses also purchased custom ice sculptures in advance to be cut ahead of the event and displayed on the Green and around town on Saturday.
The Wilmette Library, also participated, offering indoor winter-themed diversions in Youth Services. Library patrons were invited to experience a winter Playscape and quiet reading area, take part in a snowy scavenger hunt, visit the paper snowflake station, or snuggle into the winter blanket fort with a good book.
Rebecca Rodriguez of Wilmette attended Winterfest last year and was excited to attend again this year.
“I brought the kids last year, and we wanted to come back to see the ice sculptures — how awesome that it snowed today, just in time for Winterfest,” Rodriguez said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.