Santa coming to Itasca

It's hard for even the grown-ups of Itasca to focus when they know Santa is coming town.

The normally serious village trustees dress in Christmas sweaters and do their best to focus on day-to-day business inside village hall.

But they know that outside the library next door, families are gathering, local students are warming up their voices to sing holiday tunes, and soon St. Nick will arrive in his sleigh.

Tuesday night, the Itasca Community Library will host Santa Claus is Coming to Town to usher in the holiday season.

The annual event will be the first in a monthlong series of holiday offerings at the library and park district, dubbed “Celebrate the Community.” To kick off this initiative, the event Tuesday will feature 12 Christmas trees decorated by various community organizations like the Itasca Lions Club, quilters guild and Friends of Springbrook Nature Center.

Information on other events happening throughout the month are available at itascalibrary.org.

Organizers anticipate about 500 children and adults will check out the trees, listen to performances by the Peacock Middle School choir, and create crafts at the library.

But the main star of the Tuesday event is Santa, who has visited the village in a sleigh, a fire truck, a helicopter and even with his reindeer over the years.

“I don't think you can get much bigger than when Santa shows up,” said librarian Beth McCloskey.

All families that attend will receive a commemorative ornament while supplies last. Participants also can donate winter outerwear and nonperishable food items for the Itasca Food Pantry as well as new, unwrapped toys to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots.