Parade winners named for Electric Christmas Parade
The St. Charles Holiday Homecoming on Nov. 24-25 featured the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony, horse-drawn trolley rides, visits with Santa, a free holiday movie, live holiday window displays, and the Electric Christmas Parade, which recognized the Salas family and Hotel Baker as the grand marshals.
After a record 28,250 people in attendance during the 2016 parade, the community seemed to be just as excited about this year's parade.
Approximately 28,000 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 the Salas family as the grand marshals, St. Charles Mayor Raymond Rogina and St. Charles Aldermen and the Barra family as this year's official light switchers.
The weekend featured a free showing of "Home Alone" at the Arcada Theatre, live holiday window displays along First and Main streets, horse-drawn trolley rides.
Visits with Santa continue each Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the First Street Plaza now through Dec. 23.
A panel of judges helped select this year's winning parade entries which follow:
• Best of Show: PWNAGE Robotics Youth Robotics and STEM Education Foundation;
• Children's Showcase: PWNAGE Robotics / Youth Robotics and STEM Education Foundation for first place; Cub Scout Pack 146 of Lily Lake, second place; and Dance Arts Center of St. Charles, third place;
• Nonprofit: St. Charles Fire Department for first place; Kane County Mounted Rangers for second place; and Lazarus House, third place;
• Business Showcase: Jeans and a Cute Top Shop, first place; Garage 31, second place; and Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, third place.
The event is organized by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, and made possible by sponsorship support, including this year's Presenting Sponsor; Gerald Kia of North Aurora. Gold Sponsors included: AHC Advisors, Christ Community Church, Fox Valley Auto Group, Gerald Subaru of North Aurora, Hotel Baker, Kane County Chronicle, McNally's Heating and Cooling, Onesti Entertainment and Pillow of Health. Silver Sponsors included: Brunch Café, Button Man Printing, and Wasco Nursery. Bronze Sponsors included: Advanced Disposal, Blue Goose Market and Solutions Networking.
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 more information, visit www.DowntownStCharles.org or call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership office at (630) 443-3967.