New, old love Elgin's downtown windows, celebration

Downtown Elgin said “Hello” to some familiar faces and some new visitors during Saturday's “Downtown Elgin Window Wonderland: Miracle on the Streets.”

Alejandra Arcos of Northlake brought her four kids, ranging from 4 to 11 years old, to see the live Nativity, windows and other attractions that made up the annual holiday event.

“We figured ‘Why not? We don't know the city of Elgin and let's see what's there,'” she said. “I like the fact that we can visit so many spots, We can walk to a lot of activities and the kids won't get bored.”

The event also featured live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, sweets from local Boy Scout troops, and a visit from that guy from the North Pole.

Sandra Gorecki of Elgin has been to the downtown event three out of the last five years. This time she bought her two kids, Jennifer and Leanna Smith, 26 and 7 respectively, along with her two grandkids, Hunter Oliver, 3, and Lillyanne, 11.

Gorecki was pleased overall, but suggested a few more kids activities like places for kids to do arts and crafts and perhaps cookie decorating to spice up the event even more.

Her oldest daughter was impressed with the new pedestrian friendly streetscape and additional parking.

“I moved away a year ago and I like (the downtown). It's gotten much better,” she said. “It just seems more family-oriented.”

Neal Pitcher, an Elgin resident and Downtown Neighborhood Association treasurer, has volunteered to roast chestnuts for at least the last six years.

It was chilly Saturday afternoon, but Pitcher had a Weber grill and good conversation with passers-by to help keep him warm.

“This happens to be a good year for the weather, a more Christmas-y, holiday feel. I've done this in ice and freezing rain before and the crowds were thin,” Pitcher said, adding he and other DNA members hope the event shows people “there's a lot of offer (in the downtown). There's one-of-a-kind businesses and restaurants.”