Elburn, Sugar Grove welcome holidays this weekend
The holiday season comes to the far west suburbs this weekend with the Elburn Christmas stroll Friday and Holiday in the Grove in Sugar Grove on Saturday.
The Elburn Christmas stroll begins at 5 p.m. Friday with the arrival of Santa to light the village Christmas tree in front of the American Legion at 112 N. Main St. (Route 47).
Children can pose with Santa at the Town and Country Public Library at 320 E. North St., pet a live reindeer, and play life-size Kandyland in downtown Elburn.
At the Elburn and Countryside Community Center at 525 N. Main St., guests can see martial arts demonstrations, learn more about painting, and make a bid at the silent auction. Children can ride the Santa train.
Nativity sets from around the world will be on display at St. Gall's Catholic Church at Main and Shannon streets. Stop by the mansion at the Great Lakes Leadership Center at 526 N. Main St. to see the holiday decorations which enhance its vintage charm.
And listen for the sound of music. It is sure to be heard throughout Elburn. Free shuttle service will be available.
In Sugar Grove
This year's Holiday in the Grove will offer a continuous flow of events at the Sugar Grove Community House, 141 S. Main St., and at the Sugar Grove Public Library at 54 Snow St., just a block away.
The day kicks off with Breakfast with Santa from 7:15 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday at the community house, with a craft show, a kids only holiday shop, Mrs. Santa's Sweet Shoppe and face painting scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the community house.
Magician Dave Fleming will entertain at 11 a.m. at the community house.
"Activities will be ongoing," said Mary Elliott, vice president of the John Shields parent/teacher organization and one of the chief organizers. "Families can come when they want and leave when they want, rather than having to come back for events. Everything is at the community center or at the library."
The Sugar Grove Public Library will host a used book sale and a cookie sale from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"With this economy and money being tight, we thought that buying a used book was a good idea for a gift," said Pat Graceffa of the Friends of the Library. "Many are like new."
The library is also raffling off a quilt. The money raised by the quilt raffle will be used to purchase an adult and a child's rocking chair for the new library, to be donated in memory of Arlene Sondelski, who died earlier this year. She was a quilter and a member of the Friends of the Library.
The kids-only holiday shop is new this year, according to Mary Elliott. Teens will act as volunteers to help the younger children choose a gift for a family member from among a selection of handmade items made by local crafters, all priced under $5.
And as usual, there will be free sleigh rides sponsored by the Sugar Grove Park District.
"It's all about how families can enjoy being together," said Elliott.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Elburn Christmas Stroll</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 5 p.m. Friday</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Downtown Elburn and Elburn and Countryside Community Center, 525 N. Main St. Santa will light the village Christmas tree at 5 p.m. in front of the Elburn American Legion, 112 N. Main St. </p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.elburn.com" target="new">elburn.com</a></p> <p class="factboxheadblack">Holiday in the Grove</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Sugar Grove Community House, 141 S. Main St. and Sugar Grove Public Library, 54 Snow St.</p> <p class="News"><b>Info: </b>(630) 466-4686</p>