Downtown Elgin decorated for ‘Window Wonderland’
Submitted by DNA of Elgin
On Saturday, Dec. 3, downtown Elgin will be rockin’ in the holiday season as the Downtown Neighborhood Association’s “Window Wonderland” returns to the streets of downtown Elgin from noon to 5 p.m.
In addition to all of the activities and attractions available around town, the highlight of the day will be the opportunity to visit all of the decorated storefront windows, and even judge for yourselves which ones are your favorites in the People’s Choice Award voting.
The city of Elgin’s annual tree-lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Civic Center Plaza, near Symphony Way and North Grove Avenue.
The following is a list of addresses of confirmed windows, to date, that will be decorated in the theme of this year’s event, “Rockin’ in a Window Wonderland,” as well as the participating decorating group and category in which they will be competing:
Ÿ Business: Demi & Cooper Advertising, 18 Villa Court; Elgin Antiques & Uniques, 203 E. Chicago St.; Elgin Area Chamber, 31 S. Grove Ave.; Elgin Symphony Orchestra, 20 DuPage Court; Extreme Wireless, 119 S. Grove Ave.; Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St.; Rediscover Records, 207 E. Chicago St.; Shockey Jewelers, 18 Douglas Ave.; Simple Balance Holistic Center, 221 E. Chicago St.; The Annex Antiques, 201 E. Chicago St.; Two Doors Down Antiques, 207 E. Chicago St.; WRMN Radio Redemption Center, 22 Douglas Ave.; and Wrona Brothers, 205 E. Chicago St.
Ÿ Open: Downtown Elgin Harvest Market decorating 59 Douglas Ave.; Elgin Citizens Police Academy decorating Elgin Police Department, 151 Douglas Ave.; Elgin Junior Service Board decorating Al’s Café, 43 DuPage Court; Elgin Lodge No. 117 decorating 56 S. Grove Ave.; Elgin River Rats High School Rugby decorating Steffen Kelly & Steffen, 17 Douglas Ave.; Gifford Park Association decorating Future Link IT, 164 E. Chicago St.; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church decorating 165 E. Chicago St.; Judson University decorating Montana Realty, 8 Douglas Ave.; Puerto Rican Heritage Organization decorating 61 S. Grove Ave.; SouthWest Neighborhood Association decorating SpaceTaste Gallery, 10 Douglas Ave.; The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way; and YWCA Elgin, 220 E. Chicago St.
Ÿ Children: Youth Leadership Academy
All windows will be marked with appropriate signage to indicate they are a participating window, as well as a unique corresponding judging category code.
Ballots for the People’s Choice Award will be included inside the “Window Wonderland” adventure packet, which can be picked up at the DNA office, 2 Douglas Ave., as well as other public locations throughout downtown beginning Thursday, Dec. 1.
Ballots must be returned to the DNA office by 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Online voting for the People’s Choice will also be available at www.DowntownElgin.com starting Friday, Dec. 2. The event sponsor is Provena St. Joseph Hospital.
A judging panel will score each window based on a variety of criteria. Winners in each category will win $50 in Downtown Elgin gift certificates. The group or business whose window is selected as the Best Overall Window will win $500.
There’s still time for your business or community group to decorate and enter your storefront window in the decorating contest. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Nov. 30. All window decorating must be completed by Friday, Dec. 2, to be eligible.
For entry details, contact DNA Promotions Coordinator Jason Pawlowski at (847) 488-1456 or email jpawlowski@elginil.org.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of the downtown area. Its purpose is to foster a center of activity and ensure economic stability for the heart of Elgin through organization, design, promotion, and economic revitalization.
For details, call (847) 488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.com.