The only thing missing was the snow

The only thing missing was the snow.

As holiday tree lighting ceremonies played out Saturday night in Hoffman Estates, Long Grove and Palatine, young children arrived bundled up in snowsuits, while their parents donned mufflers and gloves.

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas, except that light rain chilled the air instead of a picture-perfect snowfall.

"I wish it was snowing a little," said Sue Lessen in Hoffman Estates. "That would be better."

The holiday traditions carried on, nonetheless, with Santa arriving to find holiday carolers in Palatine, an old fashioned celebration in Long Grove, and even fireworks in Hoffman Estates.

In Palatine, Santa pulled up to the village's Towne Square, in style --- escorted by a police car and riding on top of a fire engine, joined by Mayor Rita Mullins and Rudolph.

"Don't let the drizzle put a damper on anything," the jolly old elf said from atop of the ladder truck. "It's going to be a wonderful evening."

With that, Palatine firefighters raised the boom nearly as tall as the three-story tree, allowing Mullins to use her magic wand to bring it to light.

"Wow, that was awesome," declared Madison Meyer, 7, of Melrose Park, watching it with her grandmother, Becky Roemer of Palatine.

When Santa descended from the truck, the first youngster he greeted was 2-year old Patrick DeCabooter of Palatine, sitting on his father, Steve's shoulders.

"He's been talking about Santa for two weeks," his father said. "And he wants a fire truck for Christmas, so we got both in, in one trip."

Families in Long Grove gathered in its picturesque Apple Haus Square for the village's tree lighting, capping a day that featured carolers strolling through the downtown, with the sounds of magical chimes ringing at each store.

In Hoffman Estates, an overflow crowd filled the village's council chambers to hear the Notables, its community choir, open with the carol, "Come Noel." As the crowd processed outdoors to watch the tree lighting, they sang, "Here Comes Santa Claus."

As if on cue, Santa arrived in a fire engine, to host the festivities. Families surrounded the 16-foot Colorado Blue Spruce tree in front of the municipal build, to watch it light up with 600 lights and 400 red bows.

Nearly at the same time, a fireworks display began, that lit up the sky and underscored the launch of the holiday season.