Des Plaines Holiday Lighting Ceremony Welcomes Holiday Season

Hundreds of Des Plaines residents and neighbors gathered last Friday, November 30, 2012, at the Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony in Metropolitan Square, downtown Des Plaines, to watch as Mayor Martin J. Moylan and local officials pulled a giant switch lighting up the City.

Earlier in the afternoon local elementary, middle school and high school students and youth-related organizations decorated holiday trees, donated by the Des Plaines Optimists, in Metropolitan Square. Students made ornaments reflecting the theme “Holidays Around the World.”

The highlight of the afternoon occurred when the Des Plaines Fire Department escorted Santa into Metro Square on a fire engine. Santa greeted children throughout the afternoon and evening greeting kids and listening to holiday wishes. Free entertainment was provided and included the Salvation Army Band, the Des Plaines Park District’s Artistry In Motion Dance Troupe, the Maine West Choraliers, directed by Benan Avci, and the Maine West High School Warrior Band, conducted by Bernie Gerstmayr. The Warrior Band led the Mayor and his wife Lisa to the stage where they joined other officials and pulled a huge switch lighting up the holiday lights in the downtown area.

Gene Haring of the Des Plaines Park District served as the Master of Ceremonies and thanked sponsors and contributors including Sysco, Holy Family Medical Center, Maine Township Highway Commissioner Bob Provenzano and the Maine Township Organization, Pesche’s Flowers and Gifts, Wheels, O’Hare Auto Group, First Merit Bank, the Des Plaines Park District, -more-

School District 62, Des Plaines Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, Juno Lighting, and the Journal & Topics Newspapers. Goodies were provided by the Salvation Army, Sam’s Club, Kabin Kettle Korn, and the Des Plaines History Center which provided roasted chestnuts. Following the Holiday Lighting Ceremony, the Des Plaines Theatre showed a holiday movie.

To see photographs from the Holiday Lighting Event visit www.desplaines.org/lighting and

watch video coverage of the Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Des Plaines cable channel 17.

“We thank our sponsors and everyone who participated in our annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony which welcomes in this very festive season. This truly is a magical time of year. Des Plaines is a great town and it is important that we celebrate the season together and keep our traditions, such as the Lighting Ceremony, alive,” Mayor Martin J. Moylan said.