West Chicago's Frosty Fest to be Held Saturday, December 3, 2005

West Chicago's Frosty Fest will be held from 11:00 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2005. The day will begin when Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus leave the West Chicago Police Department at 325 Spencer Street at 10:45 a.m. They will travel in a fire truck escorted by the West Chicago Police Department and the West Chicago Fire Protection District. They will arrive at Community High School, 326 Joliet Street in West Chicago, at 11 a.m. where they will visit with children until 2:30 p.m. There is no charge for visits with Santa and Frosty. The Photography Club will take photos of children with Santa for a reasonable charge, but parents are also welcome to bring their own cameras if they would prefer.

A number of children's games, crafts and activities will be hosted at the high school by Community High School and Wheaton Academy clubs and organizations. Children will enjoy a visit to Santa's Secret Shop. This is a perfect opportunity for children to choose very affordable gifts for family members. Lunch with Santa will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a $1.00 charge for lunch, which includes a hot dog, chips and a soft drink. Children can make ornaments for their families and their pets, complete other craft projects, write letters to Santa, enjoy face painting, storytelling and much more. There will be small charges for most of the games and activities; most will cost 50 cents each. Children who bring at least one canned good will receive a free ticket for a mini-golf game. SkillsUSA is sponsoring a food drive, which will benefit food pantries in West Chicago. Wheaton Academy's Spanish Club and Community High School's Key Club, National Honor Society, Thespians, Future Business Leaders of America, Art Club, Best Buddies, Photography Club, Class of 2009, SkillsUSA, and Child Development Class will provide the activities at the high school.

Music will play an important role in Frosty Fest. The combined choirs from Wegner and Currier Elementary Schools will perform holiday songs at Community High School at 1 p.m. The Community High School Choir will perform at 3:45 at the West Chicago Public Library, 118 W. Washington Street. Wheaton Academy Choirs will carol along Main Street from 3 to 4:30 p.m. They will sing at Gallery 200, the West Chicago City Museum and at Jacobsen's Flowers.

A number of activities will be held during the afternoon at the West Chicago Public Library, 118 W. Washington Street. The Mini-Theater Group, comprised of West Chicago 4^th through 7^th graders, will present holiday plays at 1:15 p.m. The puppeteers will provide musical breaks between plays. There is no charge for programs at the Library. Artwork from the "This is West Chicago" student contest will be displayed at the Library from 1 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at the Library from 3 to 5 p.m., and the Community High School Chamber Choir will perform at 3:45 p.m.

The West Chicago City Museum at 132 Main Street will host a free children's "make and take" activity from 3 to 5 p.m. The "Local Vision" Photography exhibit will be open at the Museum as well.

Gallery 200 at 200 Main Street will feature artwork for sale by local artists from 1 to 5 p.m. The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission will provide light refreshments at the Gallery's holiday open house. Artwork from School District 33 and Wheaton Academy will also be displayed at several downtown businesses.

The public is also invited to a Holiday Open House at Fox Community Center, 306 Main Street from 3 to 5 p.m. The Law Club from Wheaton Academy will serve light refreshments. The Wheaton Academy Choir will also perform at the reception at 4:30 p.m. They will lead the crowd outside to the community Christmas tree in front of the Fox Center for the official tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Santa will assist Mayor Fortner in lighting the tree.