News Briefs: Winterfest returns Saturday; ‘Lion King KIDS’ premieres this week; Super Bowl Blood Drive details; Highwood Restaurant Week begins

Celebrate the winter season on Saturday in Wilmette, where Winterfest will return from noon-4 p.m. on the Village Green outside of Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Ave.

Nate’s Ice Sculpting (1-4 p.m.) will headline the afternoon, which will also feature a bouncehouse (noon) on Village Green; games (noon) in Ouilmette Way; dance performances (3:30 p.m.) on Village Green; a free movie (“Smallfoot,” 2 p.m.) at the Wilmette Theatre; guitarist Alfonso Ponticelli (2-4 p.m.) at The Patrician Gallery, 1135 Central Ave.; a poet clown (Mosy-Posy, 1-3 p.m.) at Koya restaurant, 1116 Central Ave.; and free hot apple cider (1 p.m.) courtesy of Central Station Coffee & Tea.

‘The Lion King KIDS’ starts Feb 7

The Highland Park Players is ready to present Disney’s “The Lion King KIDS” beginning Feb. 7 at the Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park.

Performances will be held at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 7 and 15 and 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 8 and Feb. 14.

Audiences of all ages are welcome, and the production is designed for ages 3-7. Tickets are available online.

“I am so excited to be bringing the Pride Lands to Highland Park,” show director Jenna Veverka said in a release. “This show is all about resilience and standing up for what is right; something I strive to center in everyday life.”

The production stars Vivian Davis (Rafiki), Grace Rich (Simba), Bezawit Yidnekachew (Scar), Léa Juat (Nala), Bianca Esbrook (Mufasa), Evan Fenton (Timone), Scarlett Carpenter (Pumba), Brayden Sear (Zazu), Adeline Rosenthal (Young Simba), Emerson Secco (Young Nala), Roxie Tabachow (Sarabi), Aubrey Rosenthal (Shenzi), Lexi Tabachow (Banzai) and Spencer Abrams (Ed).

The production team includes Jacob Cohen (producer/PR), Rob Fenton (producer), Veverka (director), Henry Allan (music director), Sara Zarkowsky (choreographer), Arin Mulvaney (costume, prop/set designer), Carol Lee Wax (prop assistant), Richard Neumann (sound designer), Ben Kushnir (sound designer), Jamie Gross (crew), Sarah Tilford (marketing) and Sydney Cowie (tickets).

“We’re so excited to kick off the 2026 season with the beloved musical ‘The Lion King KIDS’ for our children’s show,” Fenton said in the release. “Not only will it be exciting and fun, but it will be a show for kids, by kids.”

Cohen added that the show kicks off the Highland Park Players 2026 season, which will conclude with “BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical” in July.

11th Super Bowl blood drive this weekend

One of the nation’s largest blood drives is ready for its 11th edition from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8, at Saint Francis Xavier, 808 Linden Ave., Wilmette.

Hundreds participate every year in the drive that honors Kevin Joseph Smith Burke, a New Trier graduate who died of a rare heart condition in 2017 at the age of 23.

More information on the blood drive, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is available online.

Bring a photo ID, blood-donor car or two other forms of ID. Schedule an appointment HERE.

Eat. Drink. Highwood. is underway

The inaugural Highwood restaurant week — a program from the Highwood Chamber of Commerce called Eat. Drink. Highwood. — began Tuesday, Feb. 3 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 7.

According to a chamber press release, the food celebration “highlights the locally owned restaurants, bars, and specialty-food businesses that have helped establish Highwood as one of the North Shore’s most vibrant dining destinations.”

“Known for its concentration of chef-driven restaurants and longtime neighborhood favorites, Highwood continues to earn recognition from diners and media alike,” the release continues.

The five-day event is “intentionally flexible” as the 25 participating businesses are offering everything from two- or three-course prix fixe menus to tasting to chef demonstrations to cooking classes and more.

Participants (full list here) include Toad Stool Public House, Scotty’s on Sheridan, Miramar, Froggy’s French Cafe, Da Local Boy, Buffo’s, Broken Tee Brewing, Ami and more.

All specials are listed in a Facebook post from the chamber.

“Highwood’s food and beverage community is built on people, passion, and a strong sense of place,” said Jennifur Condon, of the Highwood Chamber of Commerce. “Eat. Drink. Highwood. is a simple invitation to enjoy what our businesses do best and to support the people behind them.”

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