Last year’s winning snow sculpture and crowd favorite.  The team is from Harbin, China and will return this year.

Snow Days Chicago is back!  This weekend at Navy Pier, fifteen teams of professional artists from the U.S., China, Russia, Holland, Canada and Mexico will compete in a snow sculpting competition carving their artwork from 10 foot blocks of man-made snow.  On Saturday, event goers can vote on their favorite for the People’s Choice Award from 11am-4pm.  Last year’s first place winner and crowd favorite (see photo below) was a team from Harbin China - they are back this year to defend their title. 

This is a great event for families and a perfect excuse to get out of the house and off the couch!  In addition to snow sculpting, teams from the Raging Buffalo Snowboard/Ski Park will compete in the Snowboard Rail Jam.  If that’s not enough, the Green Valley Dog Drivers will be demonstrating the talents of their dog sled teams…not just for dog lovers!

Finally there is something to love about Chicago winters!

The event is free and starts Friday at 11:00 am through Sunday (January 28-30) at Gateway Park and Navy Pier.  For more information and times visit www.snowdayschicago.us

Halloween is right around the corner and Chicagoween on Franken Plaza (Daley Plaza, 50 West Washington) will delight young and old alike.  Beginning Friday, October 29 through Halloween, October 31 you’ll be dazzled by performances from Midnight Circus, fire dancing with Pyrotechnique, arts and crafts, storytelling, costume contest and more.  Highlights this year include the Monster Bash on Saturday the 30 featuring a costume contest, hayrides and trick-or-treating and on Halloween learn the Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance with the Chicago Dance Institute!  The best part is Franken Plaza is FREE and is open from 11: a.m. - 8:00 p.m. daily. 

Get your apples, carrots, squash, pumpkins, jams and other Harvest Market food items all three days of Franken Plaza.  FRANKEN PLAZA is produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and is presented by Underwriters Laboratoiries (www.SafetyAtHome.com).  Be sure to visit the website for additional programming information, www.chicagoween.us.