Brand new events for warm February

We get 46 degrees, 51 degrees, 52 degrees, then 44 degrees, plus sunshine and no wind? What's going on here?

This is February in Chicago? Amazing. The long stretch of milder-than-normal temperatures is surprising everybody here, and for most, without any complaints at all.

Even the famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil reportedly stuck his head out and said, "To heck with this, next year I am moving up my appearance to January."

Indeed, the winter of 2024 may have come "in like a lion" — and may still "go out like a lamb," but the middle has been milder than the salsa at Chipotle.

So, what to do if this becomes a trend? If February starts to regularly hit these warm spells? We came up with a few ideas, which may range from the ridiculous to the sublime to the "you know what? Not a bad idea.

How about mid-winter Concerts In The Park at the Petrillo Bandshell?

Maybe outdoor dining on Clark Street, mid-winter-style? A 5K race around the melting ice at the Maggie Daley Skate Park?

The Chicago Cubs forgetting about Arizona and holding "spring training" right here in beautiful downtown Chicago. (Think of the fans coming to Grant Park to watch).

Why not hold the March 19 elections outside? In a show of toughness for the "City with Broad Shoulders," we celebrate the lack of freezing cold winter weather by opening up polling places outdoors. You want to vote, then tough it out.

Open up those golf courses early! This is a no-brainer for the already golf-starved fans out there.

Summer camp—in the winter! With the surprisingly warm temps now, why wait until summer? The Chicago Park District could run a brand new "summer camps in February" special, including swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, and outdoor games.

Hold a big "turn your winter clothes in" charity drive. A chance for parents and kids to get rid of all those bulky winter jackets, stocking hats, and silly padded gloves that they no longer need now that we have warm Februarys. Maybe send them to kids who need them, like in Minnesota or New York.

How about a huge outdoor Michigan Avenue Sidewalk Sale? With the now warm winter weather, let's celebrate by having stores on Michigan Avenue put out their wares on the sidewalks and let walkers and shoppers browse around. (Note: retail theft could be a problem here, but why complicate things with real practicality).

Taste of Chicago—winter style? The always popular summer event could hold a twin-sister winter version featuring hot chocolate, chili, soups, coffee, tea, and other "hot and spicy" products. Perfect spot to hold it? The Millennium Park skating rink. Because who wants to skate when the sun is out and it is 50 degrees?

Move the NASCAR race to February! Brilliant! Why disrupt the beautiful Chicago summer parks and streets with all the NASCAR construction when now we can have the race in February? Less traffic in the summer, so less inconvenience for our city dwellers, and what a brilliant way to bring visitors to the city during the previously brutal (but now sunny and lovely) winter months! Bonus? A few well-hidden ice patches and slippery areas on the turns could make for an even more challenging racing event. What could possibly go wrong?

These are just some of many ideas, now that the month of February apparently has become a nice warm and pleasant month. The list of possibilities could be endless, with more sure to come.

Then again, this warm spell we are having could be just a mirage. Feel free to clip and post this column and look at it again in April when the city gets hit by a huge spring snowstorm.

The unpredictability of Mother Nature lives on…