Briefs: Elgin lights city tree
Elgin will host its city tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. today in Festival Park, near the Grand Victoria Casino. City Skate will be open for the day with free skate rentals from 11 a.m. 9 p.m. There will be a reading of "Polar Express" at 5:30 p.m. at Festival Park and sleigh rides from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Grove Avenue will be closed between Prairie and Lake streets from 3 to 8 p.m.
Rock 'round Christmas tree
The second Rock Around the Christmas Tree in Sleepy Hollow starts at 6 tonight at the Maple Lane home of Josh and Erin Peterson. The home features at least 80 lighted decorations coordinated to music. The lighting takes place at 7 p.m. Visitors can view the decorations while listening to 88.3 FM.
PTA hosts holiday craft fair
The Chesak-Martin PTA, serving Chesak and Martin elementary schools, will host the 2007 Holiday Craft Fair Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Martin, 10910 Reed Road in Lake in the Hills. Shop for a wide range of handmade crafts, participate in hourly raffles and drop off your kids in the activity area. Call (847) 515-2472.
Parent Teacher League fair
St. John's Lutheran School Parent Teacher League will hold its annual arts and crafts festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The festival will fill both levels of St. John's Activity Center, 300 Jefferson St. in downtown Algonquin.
Village holds tree festival
The sixth annual Lake in the Hills Festival of Trees has more than 25 businesses and organizations sponsoring trees on display at the village hall. Through the month, area residents will be able to vote for their favorite tree by donating a nonperishable food item or cleaning supply. Donations will be given to the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry. Santa and Mrs. Claus will launch the Festival of Trees at 5 p.m. today at the village hall, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills. Children will be able to visit Santa during the event.
Cary celebrates holidays
The village of Cary and the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 11th annual Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The parade lines up at noon on Wulff Street and steps off at 1 p.m. down West Main Street. Cary-Grove Evangelical Free Church Strolling Dickens Carolers will be featured from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Stax-O-Wax will play holiday music from 2 to 4 p.m.; horse-drawn sleigh rides begin on West Main Street from 2 to 4 p.m.; and visitors can take holiday wagon rides, also on West Main Street. Other entertainment includes a petting zoo, pony rides, visit and photos with Santa, Cary Junior High Jazz Band, Prairie Hill 5th and 6th Grade Band and Focus Martial Arts demo.
Flag dedication Sunday
The Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus in Carpentersville will dedicate a new American flag to St. Monica Parish at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The groups also are hosting Hospitality Sunday with a free continental breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. If you have a worn or tattered American flag, have it retired properly by the VFW between 8 and 11 a.m. at St Monica's, 90 N Kennedy Drive. Call (847) 428-2646.