Winners named for Electric Christmas Parade
St. Charles Holiday Homecoming took place Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26, in downtown St. Charles. The two-day event featured the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony, sleigh rides, visits with Santa, a holiday movie, window ballet dancers and the Electric Christmas Parade, which recognized Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg as the grand marshals.
After a record 23,000 people in attendance during the 2015 parade, this year soared past for another attendance record. Approximately 28,250 people crowded along Main Street to witness the Electric Christmas Parade, which culminated a weekend of complimentary holiday activities presented by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership and their sponsors.
The Electric Christmas Parade featured Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg as the grand marshals, Mayor Raymond Rogina and St. Charles aldermen, and Miss Illinois Jaryn Franklin.
Santa Claus and his elves also were a highlight throughout the parade. The weekend featured visits with Santa, which continue each Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the First Street Plaza now through Dec. 20.
A panel of judges helped select this year's winning entries which follow:
• Best of Show: St. Charles Fire Department;
• Children's Showcase: first place, Cub Scout Pack 146; second place, Elite Dance Academy; and third place: Cub Scout Pack 260;
• Nonprofit: first place: St. Charles East girls basketball; and three-way tie for second place, Bridges, Marquee Youth Stage and St. Charles Swim Team;
• Business Showcase: first place, Fox River Harley Davidson; second place, Inside Out Roofing Inc.; and third place, Blue Goose Supermarket.
The event is organized by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, and made possible by sponsorship support, including Presenting Sponsors Fox Valley Buick GMC and Fox Valley Volkswagen, along with Gold Sponsors including: Kane County Chronicle, Goldfish Swim School, McNally's Heating and Cooling, St. Charles Bank and Trust, Onesti Entertainment, AHC Advisors, and Christ Community Church. Silver Sponsors include: Wasco Nursery, Button Man Printing, and Rocket Fizz Candy & Soda Shop. Bronze Sponsors include: Advanced Disposal, Realtor Association of the Fox Valley, Schramm Construction, McNally's Irish Pub, Solutions Networking, DaySpring Pediatric Dentistry and Blue Goose Market.
To view more Holiday Homecoming photos, visit www.DowntownStCharles.org or www.facebook.com/DowntownStCharlesPartnership. Downtown St. Charles is home to a variety of shopping, dining, recreation, business services, and entertainment.
For information, visit www.DowntownStCharles.org or call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership office at (630) 443-3967.