Special Events
2021 Blooming Fest Reimagined
As anticipation for a return to the garden mounts, the City of West Chicago is planning some unique ways to embrace spring and fill the void caused by the cancellation of Blooming Fest, an annual event which normally brings thousands of plant and craft lovers downtown on the third Saturday of May. Nicolette Stefan, Special […]
City Cancels Blooming Fest and Railroad Days
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to cause cancellations of public gatherings across the country, the City of West Chicago has announced that in the interest of public health and safety it is cancelling Blooming Fest, the downtown garden festival scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2021 and Railroad Days in July. “While strides have been […]
Video of Virtual Tree Lighting Lifts and Brightens Spirits
A virtual lighting of the official Christmas tree at the Fox Community Center in downtown West Chicago, with appearances by Mayor Ruben Pineda and Santa Claus, was captured on video by City staff last week for the community’s enjoyment. While not the same as being there live, the City, Kramer Tree Specialists, the West Chicago […]
City of West Chicago Cancels Special Events on City-owned Property Through 2020
The City of West Chicago has announced, by Proclamation issued on August 12, 2020, the cancellation of all festivals and events on City-owned property through December 31, 2020. The decision to cancel was based on the significant and continuing health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ever increasing number of COVID-19 cases and […]
Spring has Sprung Video Captures Pride and Positivity of West Chicago Residents
West Chicago’s strong gardening community rallied to the call for photographs of their own spring blooms or those admired around town, for a City-sponsored campaign called Spring has Sprung that was heavily promoted through social media and other resident communications. Over 100 photographs were received and a six-minute slideshow was produced. “The City thanks everyone […]
Final Day for Photo Submissions for Spring has Sprung Campaign
Submit your photo today Even as COVID-19 forces the cancellation of West Chicago’s signature spring event Blooming Fest, which was previously scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020, it is no match for the beauty and eternal resilience of Spring itself. As a tribute to Blooming Fest’s long history as a signal of turning the corner […]
Blooming Fest
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
Please visit the
Blooming Fest website
Student Talent Sparkles as Frosty Fest Approaches, Contest Winners Announced
For more than ten years, elementary school children in West Chicago have been invited to participate in a project that connects them to the City in a special way for the holidays. A student essay contest that rewards three winners in each grade category with a classroom visit, ride in the Mayor’s horse-drawn Frosty Fest […]
Students and Businesses Work Together on Storefront Windows for Frosty Fest
Members of the West Chicago Community High School National Honor Society worked with seven downtown businesses or organizations to add holiday cheer to storefront windows in time for Frosty Fest, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2019, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in downtown West Chicago. Among the participating businesses/organizations are Rite Way Auto, […]
Let the Countdown Begin: Official Tree-lighting to Take Place this Saturday at Frosty Fest
Lights, check. Ornaments, check. Butterflies, check. The official tree is ready to turn on the magic of Frosty Fest this Saturday, December 7, 2019, immediately following the Frosty Procession which steps off at 4:00 p.m. and includes the West Chicago Police Department and Honor Guard, the West Chicago Fire Protection District, Frosty, West Chicago Community […]
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Frosty Fest
City Public Work’s crews have been as busy as Santa’s elves decorating downtown West Chicago for the seasonal event that takes place on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Holiday lights downtown, a sleigh and reindeer display at Sesqui Park, winter-themed banners and more have been added to the festive atmosphere and […]
Winter Butterflies to Adorn Community Tree
West Chicago’s Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street, was aflutter with activity last Friday. Community members were invited to join staff from Kramer Tree Specialists, a West Chicago business which for the past ten years has generously donated their services to decorate the official tree for Frosty Fest, for a very special activity that was […]
