With winter in full swing, it is the perfect time for Frankfort to present a popular annual outdoor series.
Winter on the Green takes place Sundays from Jan. 10 to Feb. 14 (except Feb. 7) on the Frankfort Village Green.
“We try to have a variety so no two events are really the same,” said Mary Canino, manager of community relations for the village of Frankfort.
“We always have people that enjoy the Ice Fest. We have people that definitely enjoy the chili cookoff. We hope that people just don’t come out for those but that they come out for everything and have fun with the kids and come out for the wintertime when everybody is just sitting in front of the TV.”
The free series begins Jan. 10 with Ice Fest, sponsored by the village. There will be ice sculpture displays, heated trolley rides through the historic downtown district, Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association dogs and photo opportunities.
“After 13-plus years of watching I still am amazed at the live demo when they take a block of ice and make something look like a sculpture” said Canino, of Frankfort.
The Frankfort Park District co-sponsors the Winter Carnival on Jan. 17 with music provided by a disc jockey, carnival games, crafts and snowman building while the Frankfort Lions Club co-sponsors Jan. 24’s Winter Sports featuring ice bowling, snow sled rides and hockey.
Co-sponsored by the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, the Amateur Chili Cook-Off on Jan. 31 tends to draw contestants within a 25-mile radius including Orland Park, Tinley Park and the Palos area. Prizes are awarded for best aroma, bite, color, consistency, originality, flavor and heat.
“We’re a community and a community works together. I think that’s one of the things that we do with Winter on the Green. We work together to bring different ideas and different activities for residents and nonresidents to enjoy,” Canino said.
“That’s what we try to do by partnering with various different groups to bring that whole sense of community together.”
Winter on the Green wraps up on Feb. 14 with Valentine’s Weekend, co-sponsored by the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club and Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 270. Chocolate fondue and peach cobbler will be cooked on-site.
“I really do like the fact that the Boy Scouts come out and make cobbler from scratch, sitting out there in the cold weather, and how enthusiastic they are about doing that. It’s really nice to see all of that come together,” Canino said.
“The events give people the opportunity to break the monotony of every Sunday so let’s go out for a couple of hours, have the kids run around whether it’s snowing or not and just enjoy ourselves a little bit, get some fresh air and maybe walk down the trail if it’s nice.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Winter on the Green
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays from Jan. 10 to Feb. 14 (except Feb. 7)
Where: Frankfort Village Green, White and Kansas streets, Frankfort
Admission: free
Information: 815-469-2177 or villageoffrankfort.com
