Weekend events bring holiday cheer
Dec. 6 is the new Fourth of July in the Fox Valley.
While you're hard-pressed to find a parade in the northern Fox Valley during the celebration of our nation's birthday, you might have trouble getting around the valley this Saturday with all the parades and winter festivals going on.
From the Window Wonderland in Elgin to a holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony in Algonquin, local towns are spreading the holiday cheer Saturday and even Sunday. Here's a guide to what the Fox Valley has to offer.
Elgin
Which window dressing will be named fan favorite for the 10th Annual Window Wonderland in downtown Elgin?
This year, shops, restaurants and other organizations downtown have their windows in the theme of the Nutcracker Suite. The celebration takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at various downtown venues. Visitors can rate their favorite window on Saturday on the Web site, downtownelgin.org.
This Saturday will mark the second Window Wonderland for Lou Gramm, co-owner of The Elgin Public House in downtown. She said it was a little hectic at first, but she's looking forward to the fun this time around and so is her serving staff, who will dress up as elves. "We got customers who didn't know we were here," Gramm recalled. "It gets people walking around town."
While visiting stores, people may have a "passport" stamped by local businesses; 15 stamps earns a Nutcracker ornament. The passport includes a schedule of events and map of participating stores. Santa will offer free photographs for the first 200 families that have eight stamps.
Patricia Keeney, owner of Keeney's Sporting Goods in downtown and Window Wonderland chairwoman, said Elgin's celebration is interactive and family oriented.
"We're always looking for ways to have people take a look at us (in downtown). This event does that and at the same time they're having fun," Keeney said. "We've made it more interactive. We try to make this something that can be good for the whole family."
Other attractions on the day include live reindeer, readings from the "Polar Express," wreath-making demonstrations, business sales, a live Nativity scene and performances from the Nutcracker.
Algonquin
Join the village's annual Holidays on the Fox Parade beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The parade will start at Mega Home Improvements on Harrison Street downtown and make its way to Riverfront Park, where Santa and his elves will pass out cookies and hot cocoa. A community tree lighting ceremony in the park follows the parade.
Lake in the Hills
Santa and Mrs. Claus will light the village's Festival of Trees at 5 p.m. Saturday in front of village hall, 600 Harvest Gate.
Those attending the event are asked to bring a nonperishable food or household item to place under their favorite tree. Donations will benefit the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills and Grafton Township food pantries and will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 19.
Sleepy Hollow
The Sleepy Hollow Service Club invites residents to Holiday in the Hollow from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The Sabatino Park flagpole and the Sleepy Hollow Elementary School Circle-of-Cheer Christmas trees will be illuminated to signal the start of the holiday season. A lucky visitor will have the chance to flip the switch to light all seven trees. Santa will make a stop at the park. Nonperishable food items will be collected and donated to the FISH Pantry in Carpentersville.
Cary
The busiest man in the area this weekend is Santa Claus. The Cary Lions Club opens Santa's House at Fire Station No. 1, 400 Cary-Algonquin Road on Saturday. St. Nick will start his day at 9 a.m., riding around the village in a fire truck. After a short break, he will be ready for photos and visits from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Santa's House. Photos with Santa are $4, and giant coloring books will also be on sale for $7. The Lions Club also will raffle off toys, games, gift baskets and puzzles.
On Sunday, the village continue its holiday festivities at Merry Cary, sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce. The day starts with a parade at 1 p.m., which travels down West Main Street into Jandus Road to downtown Cary. Now in its 12th year, the parade will feature more than 70 entries and more than 1,000 people marching along the route. Prizes will be awarded for the loudest, funniest, most original and the best all-around costumes. Other activities include pony and holiday wagon rides, a children's train, and new this year, carolers from Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
West Dundee
Saturday is the final day of Dickens in Dundee, the annual event that brings East and West Dundee together to celebrate the season. The day will begin at 10 a.m. with the Spirit of Christmas Parade from West Dundee's village hall to Max Freeman Park in East Dundee. Other events include community tree decorating in Grafelman Park in West Dundee from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A petting zoo also will be open.
Or, if children - and parents - want to escape the freezing temperatures, the First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., will let youngsters build a gingerbread house from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A $7 donation will be collected to cover the cost of materials.
Huntley
The Huntley Jaycees and the village of Huntley are holding Christmas in the Square from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday in Huntley Square at Coral and Woodstock Streets. The event will feature a tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, refreshments and kids' crafts. At the event, you can also donate toys and gift cards for needy families.