3 Northwest suburbs flip switch on holiday trees

Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg held their annual tree-lighting ceremonies Friday evening.

Arlington Heights held its ceremony at North School Park. The event included free rides on the Holly Trolleys and performances by the Arlington Heights Park District's baton group, the Vibe Dance Troop and the Dickens Carolers from John Hersey High School.

As well as the tree, which was donated by the Hermes family, the lighting ceremony activated lights on the many holiday displays with a children's toy theme in the park, as well as the streetscape lights throughout the downtown.

Other features of the evening included food trucks, ice sculptures, a decorated tree donated by the Durham family in Harmony Park, and a Wish Tree at the Arlington Heights History Museum

Meanwhile, the Elk Grove Village tree-lighting event featured a concert by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, fireworks and more than 250,000 lights around the municipal complex, library, park district pavilion and holiday tree. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies were provided.

The Schaumburg tree-lighting event at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts featured Santa arriving via fire truck to light the tree. Face painting, temporary tattoos, refreshments and music were part of the event.