The Wicker Park Children’s Carnival

Wicker Park | 1425 N Damen Ave | Chicago
In Partnership with the Chicago Park District and together with our community partners.
No Admission Charge

Performaning Outside
11:15 am – Mad Hatters Children’s Theater Project – Junior League of Chicago
Junior League of Chicago (JLC) volunteers, organized into small troupes, visit schools and libraries to promote reading to children ages 3 to 9. Troupes will perform songs, skits and poems to encourage each child in the participate through reading.

12:00 pm   - Gorilla Tango Theater - By Kids For Kids!
Adventure back into the mists of time with Colonization!, a historical fiction about the explorers who first set foot on the shores of our nation. Join these brave, foolhardy settlers as they battle the elements, starvation, disease, and occasionally each other in an effort to carve themselves a home in a new world. Interact with the colonists themselves in an attempt to change the course of almost-history. Join the Colonization! and see our nation as it used to be… or at least as it could have been. Produced by the Gorilla Tango Theater. Performances of Colonization! run on Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm, July 23 - 31, 2011. Tickets are $12.

12:30 pm – Magic Boat Puppet Theater
Tyler Culligan and Danielle Albert created The Magic Boat after graduating from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 2010. Tyler decided to create a Children's Show, after becoming aware of Chicago's lack in current localized children's entertainment, especially given the areas rich history in that industry. While at the SAIC Tyler studied a myriad of things he thought would help him achieve his dream of entertaining children. Tyler officially graduated with a BFA and an emphasis in Animation, Sculpture, and Puppetry. Danielle Albert, head of animation, puppet, and prop design, also graduated with a BFA and an emphasis in stop-motion animation. Their desire with the show is to bring joy to children and their parents, as well as educate. They want their characters to be a good influence as well and the role-models the kids may not be finding at home. The show and  the artists are currently independently funded and live and work on the donations of those that wish to support them.

1:30 pm – Chicago Yo Yo Club - Chicago's meetup for yo-yo players
Over the past 80 years yo-yo play has progressed to a level never imagined, and Cat & Mouse Game Store is happy to host monthly meetups for yo-yo enthusiasts in the Chicago area.  All ages and skill levels are always welcome; whether you're just learning the basics or progressing to advanced tricks, our meetups are a fun way to get to know other players and learn something new.  We hope you can join us for these fun events!

Inside the Wicker Park Field House
11:00 am-3:00 pm - Clamation Films
The Wicker Park After School Art Class taught by Lara Kastner presents four short claymation films. Debuting their most recent and a work in progress one : "*#@π∆¬øπ¥!", an intergalactic cyberbullying episode with a healthy consequence. On display will be the children's alien characters, backdrops, props and storyboard.  Squashed, The Adventure of Candyland and Journey for the Berries, which was featured at the 2009 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival will also be shown.

Health Train...Jump On Board!
Health Train...Jump On Board! is a model project that highlights the Junior League of Chicago's latest emerging issue, Healthy Lifestyles. Members are trained in wellness program and, using that knowledge, will help conduct one to two hour presentations with area children as part of a mobile road show, traveling around to different organizations in the western suburbs. The presentations are fun, interactive, and approachable, and will include educational activities, sing-a-longs, and games. Presented by the Junior League of Chicago.

Additional support provided by