Get out there and play
If you’re as bananas over sock monkeys as we are, you’re in luck. This weekend, bring your favorite sock monkey and go ape at the Sock Monkey Madness Festival in Rockford, the birthplace of the much-loved children’s toy.
If you don’t have a stuffed primate friend to call your own, don’t fret. There will be Make-a-Monkey workshops where you can bring your own sock monkey to life using the trademark Red Heel socks. OK, they aren’t really alive, but they don’t have to know that.
If you have a sick sock monkey, the Sockford General Hospital will be open for business to repair and re-stuff well-loved monkeys. There will also be a Ms. Sockford Pageant, a Sock Monkey International Film Festival, history exhibits, crafts and food. If you aren’t feeling very crafty, you can stop by one of the sock monkey vendors.
The Sock Monkey Madness Festival takes place from noon-5 p.m. March 8-9 at the Midway Village and Museum Center, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Admission is $7, $4 kids and students. There is an additional charge for workshop materials. For more information visit the Web site at www.midwayvillage.com or call (815) 397-9112.
Get your tickets here
Two lucky Chicago Parent readers will win five tickets to“Cats” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, at 8 p.m. March 13. To win, tell us what you will do with the extra daylight when the clocks spring ahead Sunday. Post your answer on our discussion board, then e-mail your answer, name and your Chicago Parent ID to e-dition@chicagoparent.com. You must post and e-mail us for your answer to be counted. We will not release your information-it is purely for contact purposes. Some answers may appear in Chicago Parent magazine. Winners will be chosen at random and may have no affiliation with Wednesday Journal Inc. or its employees.
Piece of the prize
This week, five lucky Chicago Parent readers will win a copy of“Bee Movie” on DVD. To win, tell us your best or worst bee encounter story. Post your answer on our discussion board, then e-mail your answer, name and your Chicago Parent ID to e-dition@chicagoparent.com. You must post and e-mail us for your answer to be counted. We will not release your information-it is purely for contact purposes. Some answers may appear in Chicago Parent magazine. Winners will be chosen at random and may have no affiliation with Wednesday Journal Inc. or its employees.
Get out and play some more
Come see Chicago Parent this weekend at the Chicagoland Kids Expo at the Renaissance Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. With more than 100 booths of kid-related products and organizations, your family will find plenty to play with, learn from and explore.
Where’s Waldo?, Maisy and Clifford the Big Red Dog are just a few of the characters your family will encounter at the expo. There will also be two stages of kid-friendly entertainment, where you will get a chance to see the Lady Bugs live, as well as face painters, magicians and inflatables to give your kids a chance to burn off a little bit of energy. There will be plenty of freebies, including free pith helmets courtesy of Chicago Parent to the first 3,000 kids.
The Chicagoland Children’s Expo is from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10, $6 kids 3-12, free under 3. Parking is free. For more information or to download a $1 off coupon, visit the Web site, www.chicagokidsexpo.com.
