Will County hosts 10th annual Presidents Day Kids’ Fair
The 10th annual Presidents Day Kids’ Fair, sponsored by Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Feb. 16, at Troy Middle School, 5800 W. Theodore St., Plainfield.
Educational activities, live performances by local youth organizations, crafts, storytelling and games will be part of the event, officials said. More than 50 vendors will be in attendance to share information about local resource providers.
This year’s fair will also feature special appearances by local mascots and characters between 10 a.m. and noon, who will be available for photos. Animated TV character Bluey will appear between 10 and 11 a.m.
Admission is free. No registration is required.
‘Hard Water’ ice fishing tournament set for Saturday
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s annual Hard Water Classic ice fishing tournament will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Silver Lake in Blackwell Forest Preserve near Butterfield and Winfield roads in Warrenville.
Check-in starts at 11 a.m., and fishing begins at noon.
Participants must bring their own gear and bait and follow all fishing regulations. Those 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have an Illinois fishing license, a district news release said.
Advanced registration is $20 and day-of registration is $25.
Proceeds support ranger-led recreation programs and outdoor experiences for special needs groups, youth groups, Scouts and community resource centers in DuPage County, the release said.
“Changing winter conditions have made safe ice increasingly rare in DuPage County so it’s especially meaningful to offer this chance for people to connect with nature, enjoy friendly competition and support local recreation programs,” said Adam Carlson, ranger operations assistant manager for the forest preserve district.
The tournament is open to all ages, and there will be door prizes and awards. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
To register, go to www.dupageforest.org. For more information, call 630-933-7248.
State of the Naperville Park District podcast available
Naperville Park District officials discuss last year’s highlights and what is planned for this year during the 2026 State of the Naperville Park District podcast, which is available Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and napervilleparks.org/podcast.
A full-length video version is also on the park district’s YouTube page.
The podcast includes Director of Marketing and Communications Sameera Luthman, Executive Director Brad Wilson and park board President Leslie Ruffing who give updates on the district’s strategic plan, community partnerships and the upcoming referendum vote, the release said.
This is the ninth year the district has offered the State of the Naperville Park District as a podcast series.
KidsMatter celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026
As nonprofit organization KidsMatter celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Naperville nonprofit invites the public to learn more about the program through stories about the organization’s people, programs and partnerships it will share monthly.
Residents can keep up-to-date with the organization through its social media pages or by subscribing to its monthly newsletter at www.kidsmatter2us.org, a KidsMatter news release said. Anniversary stories will be posted on the website, where there is information about the organzation, community resources and strategies to promote youth mental health.
KidsMatter’s mission is to help children say no to destructive choices while helping them realize their purpose and value. The nonprofit group serves 45,000 kids.
“KidsMatter grew out of the Naperville community’s commitment to youth and families, and the strength of that commitment remains what drives us forward,” CEO and executive director Nina Menis said in the news release. “We’re excited to continue offering proactive solutions and proven strategies to help every young person reach their fullest potential.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/05/naperville-kids-fair-ice-fishing-kidsmatter/
