Come Out for Winterfest Saturday!

Join the U of I Extension for a day in the woods as they celebrate the season of winter. Come out for Winterfest 2017 this Saturday, January 21st. University of Illinois Extension and DeKalb County Forest Preserve partner each year to offer a day for families to get out, have fun, and explore an enjoyable destination. Winterfest 2017 goes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be held at the Natural Resource Education Center in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, located 1 mile west of Genoa on State Route 72.

Each year University of Illinois Extension staff and volunteers offer a variety of educational and recreational activities for the whole family. “The horse drawn wagon rides through the preserve are our big attraction,” said Extension Educator Peggy Doty. “The draft horses take passengers on a scenic ride through our preserve located right on the Kishwaukee River,” Doty continues, adding “This is a festival about the season of winter so it doesn’t matter if we have snow.”

In addition, there will be ongoing crafts for children to make and take as well as candle dipping in the morning out by the fire. There will be hikes, story time, and adult programs as well. The Genoa Prairie Gems 4-H Club will be offering their annual fundraising lunch and bake sale. You can get food for you or your family for a reasonable price and help the club continue the great things they do for the community. See full schedule of events below.

The rest of the day is free but they do except donations for supplies. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring out the whole family for one activity or stay for the entire day. For questions please call the Natural Resource Education Center at 815-784-2000.