Michael Liptrot, staff writer, Hyde Park Herald reports on the 2023 Hyde Park Holly-Day experience:

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Early Saturday morning, a wide-eyed crowd of children and adults dodged chunks of flying ice as a chainsaw-wielding ice sculptor carved an elf in Harper Court.

It was Hyde Park’s seventh annual Holly-Day event, a daylong celebration of the holiday season around the neighborhood. Hosted by the University of Chicago in partnership with the Special Service Area #61, South East Chicago Commission and Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, the Dec. 2 event drew hundreds of kids and parents from around the neighborhood and South Side for performances, character meet-and-greets, Santa and his reindeer.

Among the crowd of ice sculpting onlookers was Britney Porter and her 2-year-old son, Kaylon, who boldly stuck his face in the sculpture for a photo-op after it was finished.

For Porter and her young family, who live just outside of Hyde Park, Holly-Day is a budding tradition.

“It’s different, it’s new,” Porter told the Herald. Noting her mission to create new holiday traditions for her family, Porter added, “now we can add this to the list.”

Outside of the event, Porter said she’s making sure the family keeps the meaning of the holiday season in focus.

“(It’s about) family, good times, laughs, sharing stories and (being) thankful to be here another day,” Porter said. “We just have to love on our people while they’re still here. That’s great memories.”

Continue Reading on HydeParkHerald.com.

Photos by StopTimeLive: