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Volunteers Wanted for Wicker Park Fountain Decorating Social

By Alisa Hauser | November 18, 2014 2:16pm
 A fountain decorating social is set for this Saturday in the park.
Wicker Park Fountain Decorating Social
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WICKER PARK — The centerpiece of Wicker Park's namesake park is getting dressed up for the holidays this weekend, and volunteers are invited to help install lights and garlands around the fountain.

The 11th annual Wicker Park fountain decorating social is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday inside the park at 1425 N. Damen Ave.

"The weather on Saturday is to be a heat wave, around 40 degrees," said organizer Doug Wood, secretary of the Wicker Park Advisory Council.

The day of work will include cutting up 30 trees to make greens for the urns and collecting ornamental grasses, dried flowers and berries from the park’s gardens.

Wood said that between 40 and 80 volunteers usually attend the social and most bring food to share with others as they congregate around the cast iron Gurgoyle fountain.

The fountain was installed in 2002 and is a replica of an 1890s-era version of the structure.

Grasses will be used to decorate the fountain's 12 urns, while LED lights donated by The Care of Trees will be strung around the fountain along with garlands.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring finger foods to share with others, along with pruners and work gloves.

The Carhartt store at 1518 N. Milwaukee Ave. is also donating pairs of gloves for the event, Wood said.

The social is organized by the Wicker Park Garden Club, the Wicker Park Advisory Council and New City Church (formerly Mosaic Church) in collaboration with Chicago Park District.

Admission is free; reservations are suggested by email.

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