Jinglebell Jubilee offers evening of holiday fun in Lombard
Lights? Check. Santa? Check. Cookies, cider and carolers? Check.
Lombard’s holiday tree-lighting event, the sixth annual Jinglebell Jubilee, has its holiday festival bases covered, say members of several community groups collaborating to plan the day’s activities.
The Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lombard Town Centre, the Lombard Park District, the Lombard Historical Society, Helen Plum Memorial Library and the village of Lombard all share a role in planning something for families to do from 5:15 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
The festival kicks off at 5:15 p.m. with Santa’s arrival by fire truck and a tree-lighting at Main Street and St. Charles Road sponsored by the Lombard chamber.
The seventh- and eighth-grade festival choir from Glenn Westlake Middle School in Lombard will serenade tree-lighting viewers, said Georgette Mrofcza, assistant to the chamber’s executive director.
From there, the festivities shift a block south and a block west to Lilacia Park, which will be lit for the first time this season at 6 p.m. Animated light shows, decorated trees, a giant gingerbread house, train rides for kids and horse-drawn carriage rides for all will entertain crowds.
New this year, people can bring strings of old holiday lights that don’t work or broken extension cords to the park and drop them off in a recycling bin on the south side of the park near the coach house and the restrooms.
Lombard Park District is offering the drop-off site in partnership with the village’s holiday light recycling program, park district spokeswoman Jill Hastings said.
“We decided to partner with (the village) and offer three locations for residents to bring their lights and be part of the whole recycling initiative,” Hastings said.
Aside from the Lilacia Park location, which only will be available during Jinglebell Jubilee and other scheduled holiday events, residents can drop off strings of lights and extension cords at Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road, and the Lombard public works building, 1051 S. Hammerschmidt Ave.
After strolling the illuminated park, festival goers can wander over to Helen Plum Memorial Library to hear a performance from the Glenbard East High School Madrigal singers while sipping cider and munching cookies from 6 to 8 p.m.
Also, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Lombard Historical Society will offer tours of the Victorian Cottage Museum, 23 W. Maple St.
Lombard Town Centre businesses in downtown are planning a holiday walk for earlier Saturday afternoon, said the group’s executive director, Karen Stonehouse. They’re also preparing a holiday shopping list of “25 things you didn’t know you could get in downtown Lombard.”
Jinglebell Jubilee organizers say the shopping, singing, scenery, lights and holiday treats will allow visitors to spend a festive afternoon and evening in downtown Lombard.
If you go
What: Sixth annual Jinglebell Jubilee
When: 5:15 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
Where: Downtown Lombard locations, including St. Charles Road and Main Street and Lilacia Park, Park and Parkside avenues
Who: Sponsored by several Lombard community organizations
Cost: Free
Info: Lombard Park District, (630) 620-7322; Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (630) 627-5040