Family Fun Weekend: Events Jan. 19-Jan. 20

Get out this weekend and enjoy some fun family-friendly activities.

Every Friday we'll feature some family-friendly weekend events that are happening in the Lincoln-Way communities. It could be activities put on by the local park districts, libraries, community-hosted festivities, volunteer projects, church picnics and more. Help Keep the List Fresh. New Lenox SATURDAY, JAN. 19 Storytime & Concert, 10:30-11:15 a.m. at New Lenox Library, 120 Veterans Parkway. Alina Celeste is bringing her fun & eclectic music on the road to us all the way from L.A. Her music offers a modern twist on traditional songs & original songs that are aimed at bringing families together & providing joy to kids. Don't be surprised if you find yourself dancing & clapping along & leave singing! For Kids. FREE Mokena SUNDAY, JAN. 21 …

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PHOTOS: Ice Fest Kicks Off Winter on the Green

Ice Sculptors transformed downtown Frankfort into a winter wonderland for the first weekend of Winter on the Green.

The Village of Frankfort kicked off its Winter on the Green series on Sunday afternoon with Ice Fest. Professional ice sculptors brought their talents to Breidert Green, crafting their cool creations on location. A heated trolley offered free rides through downtown Frankfort, providing a toasty vantage point from which to view the sculptures. The Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association brought their cuddly crew to mingle with event attendees and add to the wintery feel of the afternoon. Like New Lenox Patch on Facebook Like Mokena Patch on Facebook Like Frankfort Patch on Facebook

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L-W Bars, Restaurants Pass Along Super Bowl Fun

Need some suggestions on where to watch Sunday's game? Find out who's offering the best deals and specials for the big game in Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox.

Don't want to watch the Super Bowl at home on your teeny non-HDTV? But no one you know is having a party? Luckily, the bars and restaurants of Lincoln-Way are offering alternative. Check out these special events and deals in Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox.  FRANKFORT Chicago Blu: Free buffet, 46-cent drafts and 46-cent wings (in honor of it being Super Bowl XLVI). Jameson's Pub: The fun begins 30 minutes before kickoff, which is at 5:30 p.m. For $35, customers can enjoy an open bar and a halftime party buffet. This special runs until 30 minutes after the game ends. Go here to buy tickets. Pete Mitchell's Bar & Grill: Free halftime buffet, $3.50 Bloody Marys, $3 UV Bombs, $6 domestic pitchers, $11 domestic buckets (five bottles). Smokey …

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Chili Cook-Off Breaks Attendance Records

About 450 people filled Breidert Green to enjoy homemade chili as part of Frankfort's annual Winter on the Green series.

If we've said it once, we've said it a hundred times: Frankfort loves its chili. Last Sunday's Chili Cook-Off drew about 450 people who descended on Breidert Green to sample and vote on 16 kinds of chili. The 2012 Chili Cook-Off winners were: Two events remain for this year's Winter on the Green series. When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 Where: Breidert Green Cost: Free What's on tap: Before you watch the big game, enjoy free hot dogs and the music of local Elvis tribute artist Dave Thomas. At 2 p.m. is the Puppy Bowl, where four-legged canine sports fans, decked out in their favorite team apparel, will compete for best dressed, most athletic and other awards. Dogs will receive a gift.

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Time for Chili: Why Does Frankfort Love a Bowl of It So Much?

The annual Winter on the Green Chili Cook-Off runs Sunday on Breidert Green.

Frankfort residents enjoy their chili Just a few months ago, Lincoln-Way North High School had a chili cook-off, and Patch ran its own Chowdown Showdown on the dish. Now the village's Winter on the Green series will be holding its Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, letting residents sample the delicious concoctions cooked up by participants. But before you head out Sunday to taste test all the entries, check out some of our past chili coverage. Here's what you might've missed the first time around. Don't forget: After you attend the cook-off, share your photos and videos in the Frankfort Patch Neighborhood Gallery. And while you're at it, tell us in the comments section why you think Frankfort residents love chili so much. When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday…

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Fun Weekend? Post Your Photos and Show Us

Did you spend Saturday sledding at Commissioners Park? Or participate in Sunday's Winter on the Green event? Either way, upload your photos and videos in our Neighborhood Gallery to and show everyone just how much fun Frankfort can be.

Winter on the Green: What's on Tap for Winter Sports Event

The village's seasonal series continues Sunday with races and other activities.

Cold-weather sports don't have to be left to the professional athletes. Sure, the activities that are part of Sunday's Winter on the Green Winter Sports event aren't exactly downhill slaloming or speed skating. Kids and adults will be able to participate in 3-on-3 hockey, a punt-and-pass contest and super all-weather/all-terrain sled races. But that doesn't mean they're not fun. Or competitive. Just check out the photos from last year's event, as well as video from the day. When: 1 to 3 p.m. Where: Breidert Green Cost: Free Next week's event: Chili Cook-Off  Will you be heading out to the Winter Sports event? Post your photos and videos in our Neighborhood Gallery. Show everyone what you like about the Frankfort community.

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Going to Winter on the Green? Post Your Photos Afterward

Winter Carnival is the next event in Frankfort's annual outdoor series on Breidert Green.

If the weather at last week's first event in Frankfort's Winter on the Green series made you question which season it actually was, you probably won't be as confused at Sunday's Winter Carnival on Breidert Green. The carnival will feature games, snow shoe walks, balloon animals, Rainbow the Clown and music by DJ Don Gray. It runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Will you be at the Winter Carnival? After you're done post your photos and videos from the event here in our media gallery. 

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PHOTOS: First Winter on the Green Event Puts Downtown on Ice

The crowd gathered on Breidert Green for Sunday's Ice Fest took dog sled rides and watched a professional ice sculptor use a chainsaw to create a work of art.

Good thing it's called Winter on the Green, because Sunday's above-average temperatures made it hard to believe this was the middle of the snow season. READ: Check Out the Entire Schedule for Winter on the Green This Year But the residents and other visitors attending Ice Fest, the first event of Frankfort's annual seasonal series on Breidert Green, weren't complaining. Instead, they were enjoying dog sled rides by the Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association, snacks served by Lincoln-Way East High School student volunteers and a professional ice sculptor demonstrating how he creates a piece of art out of a hunk of frozen water. YOUR TURN: Post Your Favorite Photos of Frankfort in Our Neighborhood Gallery In fact, ice sculptures were …

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Birth of the Cool: Watch Sculptor Create Icy Art

Curious how the ice sculptures are carved for Ice Fest, the first event in Frankfort's Winter on the Green series? Our video from last year follows the process from start to finish.