More than a dozen people turned out for a Friday evening beach party celebrating National Siblings Day at Rosewood Beach in Highland Park.
The Park District of Highland event featured team-building games and s’mores at a campfire pit.
Children were seen collecting pebbles and pouring sand while playing along Lake Michigan. The large rocks along a section of the shoreline took on a rose hue as the setting sun cast its golden-hour lighting.
“Our campfire programs have been great places for families to gather, talk and meet each other,” Park District naturalist Mark Bryant said. “The outdoor spaces are perfect for kids to explore and run, while parents chat and do some of the activities themselves.
“We will be doing about one campfire per month,” he said. “We like to choose different fun themes for our campfires.”
National Siblings Day was an opportunity to design “games and activities that focus more on working together,” Bryant said. “Our campfire programs move around from park to park, but I’m always very excited to do programs at Rosewood. You have the views and sound of Lake Michigan, and you can search the beach for fossils and sea glass.”
According to the National Siblings Day website, “since 1995, the initial goal of the Siblings Day Foundation has been to establish a national day of recognition for brothers and sisters.
“Siblings Day follows the spirit of Mother’s and Father’s Day, an uplifting celebration honoring people who have helped in our development and who have shaped our values, beliefs and ideals,” the website said.
Elliot Gardner and Liz Gardner Meyer of Highland Park brought their children Josephine, 7, August, 2, and Grace, 3 months.
“Core memories on Siblings Day and learning about teamwork in a beautiful place is a great thing,” Liz Gardner Meyer said.
Elisabeth Garner of Ravinia Highland Park, the mother of Ollie, 3, and Minna, 4, said of the event, “It’s an excuse to come down to the beach and get the kids out here. And even when it’s cold out, we have such a privilege to be living so close to the water and we want the kids to come out and experience nature as much as possible.”
Minna was looking forward to attending the party because, she said. “I love Sibling Day.”
Her mother said, “She has been so excited all day. She asked, even if people don’t have siblings, if they can celebrate Siblings Day. She wanted to make sure everyone is included.”
More Top Picks Panasonic Ergofit