Santa comes to Town (Center)
Adults and children bundled up in hats, scarves and mittens as they stood alongside the gazebo inside Deer Park Town Center waiting.
When the fire truck arrived with lights flashing and horn blaring, they all knew who was coming to town.
It was Santa Claus.
Taken to the affair by the Lake Zurich Fire and Rescue Department, the jolly man in the red suit greeted young and old and helped the outdoor retail center open the holiday season.
Becky Kamaryt of Barrington brought her sons, 6-year-old Ben and 2½-year-old twins Nate and Jack, who love fire trucks.
"They thought it would be cool to see him come in the fire truck," she said.
Ever since its opening, Deer Park Town Center has welcomed thousands of visitors to see Santa the beginning of November. Konda Dees, marketing director, said it's a combination of celebrations, one of which ties into the anniversary of the center's opening in October 2000.
"We look at it as a thank-you to the community for being a part of the community and a way to bring in the holiday season," she said.
Patrick Winkler, who drove from Round Lake as spur of the moment to see Santa, said it did seem a bit early to think Christmas.
"It does seem early. Thanksgiving is not even here yet," he said. "There should be snow on the ground. I remember growing up it felt a lot more like Christmas."
But Hal Forsyth planned a holiday theme day with daughter Katie and 19 of her friends including seeing "Fred Claus" as part of Katie's 13th birthday. He said it was cold enough to say it's close enough to Christmas and start enjoying the holiday season.
"It means family, friends, God and lots of good times to be had," said Forsyth, who lives in Barrington.
Santa Claus began to listen to children's wish lists Friday night. And in return, Santa gave everyone reindeer feed courtesy of Midtown Athletic Club in Palatine. Seeing Santa gave many parents a nudge to start holiday planning.
"We are just getting started," Forsyth said.
Standing alongside Santa to help light the holiday tree was Scott Gifford, Deer Park's village president.
"Everyone is here to see him, not to see me," Gifford said before he and Santa began the countdown from 10 to light the tree.
After the lights went on, all eyes then turned to the sky as the center opened the holidays with a bang -- actually lots of them as part of a colorful fireworks display.
Suzy Kachigian of Lake Zurich said she has come to the festivities every year since the center opened, particularly to see the fireworks.
"We see Santa, but the fireworks are the big draw," she said.