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Guide To West Town's WinterFest

Winterfest
(Photo Credit: westtownchicago.com)

WinterFest
When: December 6-7th
Time: 12:00-6:00
Where: West Town, Halsted to California, Grand to Division
www.westtownchicago.com
 
Winter is coming, and one of Chicago's most legendary neighborhoods is embracing it with the ushering in of a brand new winter festival unlike any other on the weekend of Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th. From 12pm to 6pm both days, WINTERFEST features local shopping and dining for the holidays by interconnecting dozens of West Town businesses located in the vicinity of Halsted to California, Grand to Division, and all of the commercial corridors in between. During the celebratory weekend, holiday shoppers and families are invited to partake in a number of festive activities, from an exhilarating Santa Sprint, to building happy snowmen, to discounted shop hopping. The best part is, several Jolly Trolleys will run continuously throughout the weekend, transporting festers in cozy, chauffeured style to different winter wonderland hubs throughout West Town.
 
At the heart of WINTERFEST is the independent, locally-owned businesses that line West Town's charming commercial corridors. Produced by the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce, WINTERFEST organizers are estimating over 50 shops, restaurants, and boutiques will participate in the event, with weekend features including:
 
* "Santa Sprint" on Division Street
* Jolly Trolley tours throughout the neighborhood
* Custom snowman making
* Holiday classical string performances by Chicago Center for Music Education students
* Holiday carolers at various locations
* Holiday shop hop in the Grand Avenue Design District
* Restaurants & bars featuring exclusive, holiday-inspired drink & menu promotions
 
Santa Sprint
 
Kicking off WINTERFEST 2014 is the Santa Sprint, a new holiday fun run that will take place on West Division Street on Saturday, December 6th at 10am. Santa Sprint is where runners (or walkers) young and old can don the legendary Jolly Old Elf garb and compete for bragging rights to fastest Santa this side of the North Pole - all while giving back to the local community. The participation fee is $15 for adults, $10 for 11-18 year olds, and $5 for kids under 10. All runners will receive a Do Division goodie bag and a Santa hat and are encouraged to dress the rest of the part! LaSalle II School will benefit from WINTERFEST proceeds. Online advance registration is available.
 

Trolley
(Photo Credit: westtownchicago.com)

Jolly Trolleys
 
On both December 6th and 7th, there will be six distinct WINTERFEST "Jolly Trolleys" offering warm and toasty, chauffeured power holiday shopping tours throughout West Town along with complimentary champagne and food along the way. The trolleys will leave from WINTERFEST headquarters, Eurofurniture (2145 W Grand), at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm (each trolley will do its unique route three times each day) - stopping at five exceptional West Town businesses for 15 minutes each. Each two hour trolley tour will cost $10 in advance, however when festers spend that $10, then automatically get $20 back. That is, when somebody buys the $10 Jolly Trolley ride they get a $20 Shop West Town Gift Certificate to use in January and February back at the participating WINTERFEST businesses. Jolly Trolley pass reservations are being accepted.
 

WinterFest
(Photo Credit: westtownchicago.com)

Snowman Making
 
On Saturday, December 6th from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm at LaSalle II Elementary School on Division and Honore, festers will have the chance to participate in an annual Division Street family tradition - custom wooden snowman making. Activities include: 6 foot plywood snowman that festers personalize with materials available on site or from home, hot cocoa, marshmallow roasting, carolers and more. Snowmen are displayed on Division and Honore throughout the season. To reserve a snowman, contact Jen Vojticek at jenerste@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit LaSalle II. Get more info at http://www.westtownchicago.com/events.

Lauren Wulf LaRoche, CBS Chicago
 
Lauren Wulf LaRoche writes about living in Chicago on a budget on her website, A Poor Girl's Guide Chicago.
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