Kids play at last years Orpheum Snow Globe event in Champaign, Il. Photo by Allison Macey
In a whirlwind of icicles and snowflakes, this holiday season there’s a way to still participate in the winter fun without getting frostbite along the way. Brought to you by Orpheum Children’s Museum, this year’s Snow Globe event will be happening inside the warmth of the museum and away from the cold of the season.
In it’s fifth year of running, Orpheum’s Snow Globe event creates an indoor wonderland filled with games that children and families can enjoy. The opening night of the event is also coupled with Champaign Partnership’s Parade of Lights, a parade through town that features floats, marching bands and even an appearance from Santa Claus!
“My favorite part is the indoor sledding” said Orpheum’s museum director, Zoe Stintson “Kids get to ride carts down the slope of the theater.”
This year’s event will have a variety of different games and activities to choose from, including snowball throwing, snowman making and tree decorating. But remember, this is all indoors! Snowball throwing consists of igloos with targets that kids can throw big plush white balls at. It’s just as fun as the traditional snowball fights, but without the frozen fingers.
In addition, there is also faux snowman making and tree decorating. The museum provides large cardboard boxes in the shape of trees and snowmen, along with different decorations such as twigs and ornaments in order to garnish their creations with holiday cheer. In past years, there were other creative indoor games such as candy cane hockey, where children used giant blown up candy canes as a substitution for real hockey sticks. In addition to games, there will also be the ear pleasing sounds of the holidays, provided by local radio personality, Diane Ducey. And, of course, we can’t forget about the soul warming hot chocolate that will also be provided!
“We completely transform the theater into a winter wonderland,” said Stintson.
The Orpheum Museum is a Vaudeville Theater turned into a movie theater turned into a children’s museum. Built in 1914, many greats performed there over the years, including Hodini. But this time around, the theater will be converted into a joyful world away from all the chills of winter.
Aside from the famous likes of Houdini, this year, like those past, there will be a special visitor for all to enjoy. Of course, Santa Claus will be making a guest appearance at the event, allowing children and families to take pictures together and giving kids a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and ask him for that special toy that they’re anticipating under the tree this Christmas season. But Santa isn’t the only guest making an appearance. In addition to the famous Chris Cringle, there will also be a theatrical presentation of the classic tale, “Within the Cloak of Christmas” and a special appearance by Bolkada Conde’s Children’s African drumming troupe.
The Snow Globe event takes place every weekend throughout December, starting on November 30th. Putting together this magical world takes many volunteers and lots of staff hours, but in the end the result is incredible. “It’s a community effort” said Stintson, who also articulated that the event takes 30 to 40 volunteers per night.
This year, the Parade of Lights precedes the opening of the Snow Globe event at 6 PM in downtown Champaign. While the parade is free, if you would like to attend Orpheum’s Snow Globe following it, there will be a $5 entrance fee. Aside from opening night, members are $6 for admission and nonmembers are $8. But if you’re going with a family, they also have family 4-packs available for $28. So don’t forget to swing by Orpheum this holiday season for a bit of festive fun, and this time you won’t even have to put on your coat and mittens to enjoy it!