Organizers of the first-ever winter solstice event at 4 p.m. Friday at the Riverwalk Amphitheater anticipate the temperature will be cold.

And if big fluffy snowflakes glisten during "Celebrate a Season of Lights," the third seasonal event of the year hosted by the Riverwalk Foundation, co-chairwomen Nicki Anderson and Pam Swafford will be delighted.

"We've envisioned a time for families to come to the Riverwalk and celebrate Naperville's version of Winter Wonderland," Swafford said. "Ruth Fawell has requested snowflakes at sunset."

Immediate past-president Fawell came up with the idea of quarterly events to celebrate "A Riverwalk for All Seasons" two years ago. In 2000, the foundation conceived the idea of "Sunrise/Sunset: Stars of the Riverwalk," a summer solstice event on June 21.

This year, in addition to Sunrise/Sunset, the foundation hosted a fall equinox breakfast Sept. 21 called "Founders to the Future," commemorating the 20th birthday of the Sesquicentennial Riverwalk and looking toward the development of Fredenhagen Park.

The Riverwalk makes history again on the first day of winter when the community is invited to the amphitheater for a holiday concert as new lights illuminate the evergreens behind the Millennium Wall, reflecting the foundation's first gift to the Riverwalk.

Guest carilloneurs Jim Brown, Mark Lee, Bill Berg and Diane Grover will play the Millennium Carillon, while juggler Arnie Spravka entertains from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Master of ceremonies Brian Lynch, director of theater and fine arts at North Central College, will raise his voice to lead a sing- along of seasonal songs beginning at 4:30 p.m. After the 30-minute program, the carillon concert will resume.

Arbor Vitae Java and Juice and the Cinnamon Nut Hut will sell cocoa, cider, cookies and roasted nuts.

Riverwalk baseball caps ($20), Riverwalk commemorative bricks ($150) and Cock Robin souvenir bricks ($50) will be available.

Jeanne Johnson of Art & Frame/Naperville has organized a raffle to benefit the Riverwalk.

Photographer Jo Lundeen donated a winter Riverwalk scene that has been framed. It is now on display at the gallery, 21 S. Main. Raffle tickets, priced at $2 each or five for $10, are available at Art & Frame/Naperville until the event.

The drawing is at 5 p.m. at the amphitheater. You need not be present to win.

Community leader Ray Kinney will be there, too.

"This year, more than others, this type of community event and a chance to sing carols with friends and family will create a warm spot in your heart," he said. "I can't wait to be there."

"This is a wonderful time to experience what Naperville is all about," Anderson said. "Whether you're celebrating, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, this event is about the magic of the season...and the connections in our community. 'A Season of Lights' reminds us of the work and dedication by many to create a beautiful downtown - unsurpassed.

"We are truly a community that gets things done and draws families in...come celebrate...and feel the magic of Naperville," she said.

Riverwalk Partners: During recent months, the Riverwalk Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation established in 1997 to serve as a conduit to raise funds for the community's crown jewel, has been looking at ways to recognize local businesses who support the Riverwalk.

Riverwalk Partners is one idea advanced by Fawell, Swafford and Anderson to include downtown merchants who donate $100 annually to the Riverwalk.

A Riverwalk Partner also is a distinction for businesses that make innovative contributions to the foundation at a variety of levels.

This category of giving is still under development and ultimately will recognize generous donors throughout Naperville, such as Minuteman Press, Art & Frame/Naperville and King's Court Builders, which contribute to the Riverwalk on a regular basis.

Another idea is Riverwalk Realtors. Last Friday, foundation member John Schmitt kicked off the program available to all Realtors at his John Greene office.

Pete Stefani, vice chairman of the Riverwalk Commission, provided an overview of the commission, the foundation, the city and the park district's cooperative relationship to build, enhance and maintain the Riverwalk.

Stefani said that the Riverwalk Realtor distinction would be given to every Realtor who donates $300 in a given year to the Riverwalk Foundation.

Realtors who sign onto the program will be recognized on the Riverwalk's Web site.

"We had 10 Realtors in attendance and they immediately embraced the program," Schmitt said.

In addition to Schmitt, Rebekah Kyle, Sheila Freed, Gail and Don Niermeyer, Rich Brzezinski, LuAnn Hollingshead, Bill TeVogt, Carolyn Duffy, and Julie Kaczor donated on the spot.

The Realtors went back to their offices and by the end of the day Schmitt also received commitments from Helen Wolfe, Scott Baker, Jeanne Rechenmacher, Sandy Rossi, Mike Herbert, Jack Ehlert and Sue Harla.

"The main theme is to get the group of Realtors large enough so we can give something back to the community that has been very good to us," said Schmitt, who suggested Fredenhagen Park might be the place to start."...Something in the name of Naperville's Realtors as a group. It will be our way of saying, 'Thank you, Naperville.' "

Stefani added, "There was lots of enthusiasm for this concept - it's not just a one- or two-year project - it's a way to give long- term to the asset that adds so much to our community and our businesses."

New Web site: In January, the Riverwalk Foundation expects to launch its new Web site, www.napervilleriverwalk.com.

Debbi Peterson and Karen Vinton of Moser Enterprises donated their services to develop the site under the leadership of Riverwalk Foundation member David Kelsch.

Now nearing completion, the Riverwalk site includes photographs by Lundeen, an abbreviated history, major donors, frequently asked questions, an award-winning site map designed by the Daily Herald and architectural renderings of the proposed Fredenhagen Park. Order forms for commemorative bricks also will be available online.

Also, at 9 a.m. Jan. 12, the community is invited to the Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jackson, to attend a 90-minute program highlighting plans for Fredenhagen Park, a new park proposed along the Riverwalk extension at Washington Street.

A magnificent gateway to downtown Naperville is proposed at the former Cock Robin site, a generous donation of property to the city from the family of Grace and Walter Fredenhagen, founders of the ice cream shop in 1931.

Riverwalk landscape designer Rick Hitchcock will display updated renderings and welcome public participation as the timeline unfolds to develop the park.

In the meantime, plan to bundle up and share a special memory with family and friends during the illumination of the Riverwalk Amphitheater this Friday.