The cold, hard fact of Oak Park Winter Fest

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Lace up the skates and enjoy open skate to the sounds of Chicago Blackhawks organist Frank Pellico at Oak Park’s Winter Fest Sunday at Paul Hruby Ice Arena at Ridgeland Common.

Updated: January 26, 2012 12:26PM

The Park District of Oak Park looks great for its age — 100 this year. Five big events are planned to mark the centennial, starting with Winter Fest, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at Paul Hruby Ice Arena at Ridgeland Common, 415 W. Lake St.

“We usually have a Frank Pellico night,” said Jennifer La Fleur, communications and marketing coordinator. Every year, the Chicago Blackhawks’ organist plays music for an old-fashioned open skate.

“We’re building on that event — a lot — this year,” La Fleur said. “We’re going to raffle off a youth jersey for the Blackhawks, an adult jersey and some Blackhawk tickets, also some park district prizes.”

A $1 admission fee includes the skating, raffle, skate rental while supplies last, a snow sculpture demonstration, contests, games, hot chocolate and special 100th anniversary cupcakes.

People are encouraged to bring nonperishable items for the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry.

For details, call (708) 383-0002 or visit www.oakparkparks.com.

It’s in the bag

Legend has it that groundhogs can predict the length of winter. Kids can come up with their own conclusions after creating a groundhog paper bag puppet, or a shadow puppet, 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Dole Branch of the Oak Park Public Library, 255 Augusta St. No registration is needed for this all-ages workshop.

For details, call (708) 386-9032 or visit www.opl.org.

Class acts

Mother & Baby Exercise, Tremendous Toddlers, World Music, Fitness Fun and Cartooning are just a few of the parent-child class offerings during Wonder Works’ Late Winter Session, Jan. 30-March 24 at 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park. Register now so you won’t miss a class.

For details, call (708) 383-4815 or visit www.wonder-works.org.

Who knew?

An unexpected sight awaits families at the February children’s show, 2 p.m. Sundays at Cernan Earth and Space Center, Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. They will see “Dinosaurs in Space,” plus a mini-show called, “There Once was a Sky Full of Stars.” Admission is $8, $4 for ages 2-12 and seniors.

For details, call (708) 583-3100 or visit www.triton.edu/cernan.

Listen carefully

... and you’ll hear Book Buzz, a children’s storytime for kindergartners through second graders, 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. The interactive storytime features longer books as well as art activities. Parents can stay with their children or leave them.

For details, call (708) 452-3420 or visit www.oppl.org.