SOMMER PARK HOSTS ANTEBELLUM CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 4
The Peoria Park District’s W. H. Sommer Park will host an Antebellum Christmas on Saturday, December 4, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Learn some customs of the era, sing popular Christmas songs, and enjoy cookies and hot drinks while you visit with Father Christmas. Please dress for winter weather! This event is open to the public and costs $5 per vehicle. Sommer Park is located at 6329 N. Koerner Road. Call 691-8423.
PEORIA PARK DISTRICT OFFERING PHONE CALLS FROM SANTA
Santa is very busy getting ready for the holiday season, but has agreed to take time to say hello to local children before Christmas. Santa and his helpers will be making phone calls to children in the Peoria area on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. To register for this free phone call, you can print form at www.peoriaparks.org or pick up a form at Peoria Park District facilities. Forms were handed out in District 150 schools in November. Volunteers are needed who speak English or Spanish on Sunday, Dec. 12. Interested volunteers should call 681-2827.
PEORIA PARK DISTRICT TO DELIVER LETTERS FROM SANTA
Share the excitement of opening a personalized letter from Santa! The Peoria Park District is pleased to offer Santa this opportunity to communicate with your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend. Let Santa tell your children they’ve been good, but need to clean their room more often. Or Santa could compliment a behavior change, good grades, or super activity in sports. It will be a lasting holiday memory and the talk around the holiday table! There is a $3.00 fee for this program. Mail the form with a check for $3.00 payable to the Peoria Park District. The deadline is Dec. 9, so that letters will be received prior to Christmas. Call 681-2854.
SOMMER PARK TO PRESENT “CHRISTMAS ON THE GHOST FRONT” ON DECEMBER 11
The Peoria Park District’s W. H. Sommer Park will present “Christmas on the Ghost Front” on Saturday, December 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join World War II veterans, historians and re-enactors as the days leading up to the Battle of the Bulge are recreated at the Pioneer Homestead in Sommer Park. Demonstrations will include soldier life, military vehicles, POW interrogation and a first aid station. Sommer Park‘s “Christmas on the Ghost Front” is open to the public and admission is just $5 per vehicle. Sommer Park is located at 6329 N. Koerner Road. Call 691-8423.
DAVID McDONALD & GUESTS IN CONCERT at FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER, DECEMBER 11
The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will host a concert by David McDonald & Guests on Saturday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m., as part of their 2010 Songs from the Woods concert series. Enjoy a special evening with David McDonald, along with guest performances from instructors and students at the Academy of Fretted Instruments, doing selected holiday and seasonal music on classic guitar, mandolin and other fretted instruments. Payment for reserved seating is available at the Trailhead Nature Store. General admission seating is payable at the door. Concert fees are $7 for adults, $6 for children, and CORE members receive $1 off. Call (309) 686-3360.
FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER HOSTS HOLIDAY SHOP & STROLL
The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will host their annual Holiday Shop & Stroll evenings on December 3, 10, 17 and 18, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. This event is one of a kind and a holiday tradition for hundreds of people. Take an evening stroll on a forest path with luminaries guiding your way. Enjoy live seasonal music by a variety of musicians…plus storytelling, caroling, hot wassail and homemade goodies. View the artwork in the Nature Art Show and Sale, and shop for nature-related and eco-friendly items in the Trailhead Nature Store.
Plan time to catch your breath during the busy holiday season and attend an event that will definitely get you in the spirit! Holiday Shop & Stroll is open to all ages. A $2/person donation is requested.
For more information about Shop & Stroll, call (309) 686-3360. Forest Park Nature Center is located at 5809 Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The trails are open daily dawn to dusk.