Publications & Sites 
Family Friendly: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Brookfield Zoo
Updated: September 13, 2012 9:36AM
Brookfield Zoo is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in a big way with Fiesta Para Todos: A Party for All, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 16 at First Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield.
Entertainment will include the Sones de Mexico Ensemble and La Nueva Moda Band as well as the dance groups Flores de Mexico and Proyecto Latino and Dancers 5 Magnificos.
“On Sunday, Dora the Explorer will be making an appearance,” said Ken Grzeslo, onsite marketing assistant manager. “We’ll feature some animals that we have from Latin America, including llamas and alpacas. We’ll be bringing those out so people can pet them and get their pictures taken with them.”
Kids can also meet Chicago Fire mascot Sparky, drive a car on the Fisher-Price Driving Track and explore the Fisher-Price Play Pen.
“It’s a good event for us to connect to different cultures,” Grzeslo said.
For details, call (708) 688-8000 or visit www.brookfieldzoo.org/CZS/fiesta.
Crowning glory
Tiaras are optional but little girls, ages 4-7, are invited to wear their finest royal outfit to a Princess Party, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept 15 at River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave. The junior princesses will hear princess stories, play princess games and meet an actual princess. Registration is required.
For details, call (708) 366-5205 or visit www.riverforestlibrary.org.
All together now
Family Storytime seems like a misnomer for the event planned at the Franklin Park Public Library, 10311 Grand Ave. for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17. Sure, there will be stories, but also a song, dancing, fingerplay, nursery rhymes and a craft project.
For details, call (847) 455-6016 or visit www.franklinparklibrary.org.
Artists at work
Wonder Works children’s museum has its very own Artist-in-Residence, Michell Martinez. Kids will have the chance to get creative under her guidance at a Paint Covered Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Wednesday, Sept.19 at 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park. While they are experimenting with paints, participants will learn artistic concepts through creative play. The program is covered by general admission.
For details, call (708) 383-4815 or visit www.wonder-works.org.
Language lesson
Your child doesn’t need a parrot purchased on his shoulder to prepare for Talk Like a Pirate Day. He’ll hear a story about pirate life and learn some of the lingo, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.
For details, call (708) 848-0770 or visit www.magictreebooks.com.
