“The snow flurries are a nice touch to add to the excitement of this fun winter event,” said Meghan Kearney of Glenview, executive director of the Glenview Chamber of Commerce.
In collaboration with the Village of Glenview and Friends of Downtown Glenview, the Glenview Chamber of Commerce invited the public to a free four-hour Saturday afternoon event at the former Patio Shops, now a public parking lot, on the 1700 block of Glenview Road.
A one-day-only iceless skating rink was open to the public, offering the experience of skating without the challenge of navigating ice, for all ages and skill levels.
The Schultz siblings of Glenview, Emma, 8, a second-grader and Ava, 11, a fifth-grader, used the rink with Emma wearing skates and Ava confidently doing a leg lift skating trick while wearing gym shoes.
Still, “It’s more slippery” than real ice, Ava said.
“I like it,” Emma said.
The girls’ parent, Jonathan Schultz, said about the winter scene, “It definitely feels like holiday time.”
People could purchase food and beverages from local vendors. Jackman Bear, Glenview’s plush brown mascot, walked the event premises to say hello and give high fives to kids with stops to pose for photos. Fresh s’mores made over campfire round containers were popular too.
Paul and Coley Callero of Glenview watched their family enjoy s’mores, play games and get fresh air. Their children are Gia, 1, Lucca, 6, Jack, 4, and Mikey, 3.
The Callero family lives close to the Glenview Road business district by the library.
The walkability to get to downtown Glenview is, “so important,” Paul Callero said. “I think they’ve done a great job.
“Being able to walk to downtown and have things to do with your kids and family — green space is important, parks, all that kind of stuff,” Paul Callero added.
“We moved here in 2023 and honestly, that’s one of the things that we were a little nervous about is that downtown didn’t have much for families to come and congregate and do,” Callero added.
“I think they’ve completely turned it around.”
Emily Condon of Glenview, the parent of Libby Condon, 9, a fourth-grader, said, “Downtown Glenview is doing great.
“The revitalization is absolutely wonderful and we’re enjoying being here.”
Curling was also a busy activity to experience, especially with the recent Olympics. Neighboring Northbrook also is home to the Chicago Curling Club.
Connor Isherwood, 7, a first-grader from Glenview, and his sibling Charlie, 9, a fourth-grader, gave the curling stones a slide with other youngsters including Miles Maloney, 9, a fourth-grader, also from Glenview.
“I think they wanted to try it after watching the Olympic event and it’s fun for them to try it here,” said Connor’s mother Christina Isherwood.
There was also a Valentine’s heart-themed ice sculpture photo opportunity, courtesy of a local bank.
Taking a photo with the ice sculpture was Katie Galbas of Northbrook, business lender with Wintrust of Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield.
Wintrust “supports a lot of community events and initiatives,” Galbas said, adding it’s important, “to give back to communities.”
