Make Memories to Cherish at Waukegan HolidayWauk

Posted December 01, 2013 10:00 pm

Jane Ferry

Few memories endure like the ones you make while celebrating the year-end holidays with family and friends. You can make new memories to cherish while enjoying familiar traditions—or learning about traditions from other cultures—during HolidayWauk in historic downtown Waukegan on Saturday, Dec. 7. The event offers movie screenings, art activities and more for children and adults of all ages.

Highlights of the daylong event include photographs with Santa Claus on the stage of the Genesee Theatre, seasonal melodies from the Salvation Army Band and the lighting of the holiday tree in Jack Benny Plaza. Free parking will be available on the streets and all surface lots.

Family-friendly activities begin at 10 a.m. and run through 5 p.m.

“HolidayWauk gets everyone into the spirit of the season. It’s fun to see the decorated storefronts and to take part in craft activities throughout the Main Street District,” said Jane Ferry, executive director of Waukegan Main Street.

“At this year’s HolidayWauk, we want to celebrate the true spirit of the season by encouraging visitors to ‘give back’ to those who are less fortunate. For example, you may donate new toys to Toys for Tots at Your This And That Shop, or non-perishable food items for local families at Nele’s Art Gallery. In addition, kids can stop by State Rep. Rita Mayfield’s office to make cards for veterans staying in the Lovell Medical Center over the holidays.”

All HolidayWauk events are free, unless otherwise noted. Here’s the rundown so far:

-- Decorate cookies with Nettie Mojarro. If you’d like to participate, please donate a non-perishable food item. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Nele’s Art Gallery, 106 S. Genesee St.

-- Create holiday ornaments with Patrick Tufo. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tufo Galerie, 116b N. Genesee St.

-- Holiday Coloring Contest. Bags containing a holiday coloring sheet, a set of crayons and a coupon will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Return completed sheets for judging according to age category for cash prizes. Your This And That Shop, 114 N. Genesee St.

-- Performances by choirs from Glen Flora Elementary School, Jack Benny Middle School and Abbott Middle School. Noon to 1:30 p.m., Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.

-- Pre-Kwanzaa Demonstration, Crafts and Marketplace, with vendors offering crafts and light refreshments. Free craft activities for children. Noon to 4 p.m., College of Lake County, 33 N. Genesee St.

-- Holiday Cards for Veterans. Children can create cards to send to veterans at Lovell Medical Center in North Chicago. Noon to 4:30 p.m., State Rep. Rita Mayfield’s office, 120 S. Genesee St.

-- Free family art projects, sponsored by the Waukegan Park District. Noon to 4:00p.m. Lake Surf Designs, 118 S. Genesee St.

-- Holiday Pet Photos, sponsored by W.A.G.S. Participation fee required. Noon to 6 p.m., Karcher ArtSpace, 405 Washington St.

-- Kinder Fest, featuring child-friendly activities such as making jewelry and baking cookies. Participation fee required. Noon to 6 p.m., Karcher ArtSpace, 405 Washington St.

-- Caroling led by Waukegan High School Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Your This And That Shop, 114 N. Genesee St. Hot chocolate, cider and coffee will be available.

-- Salvation Army Band. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., in front of the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.

-- Screening of “The Santa Claus,” the 1994 Tim Allen comedy about an ordinary man who must take over Santa’s job when the jolly old elf is killed in an accident. 1:30 p.m., Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St.

-- Pictures with Santa, for children of all ages. Starts at 1:30 p.m., Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.

-- Holiday Story Time, featuring readings by City Clerk Artis Yancey plus free cookies. 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.

-- Lighting of the holiday tree, featuring Mayor Wayne Motley and music by the Salvation Army Band. 5 p.m., Jack Benny Plaza at the corner of Clayton and Genesee Streets.

Many downtown stores and galleries will offer seasonal sales and refreshments. Among them:

-- Horsefeathers, 129 N. Genesee St., is holding its winter sale with 20 percent off full-priced merchandise and special offers on body jewelry. The store opens at 10 a.m.

-- Your This And That Shop, 114 N. Genesee St., offers unique gifts for the holidays—and staff members are willing to haggle. Visitors can enjoy free light beverages to keep warm during HolidayWauk. The store opens at 11 a.m.

-- The Gift Cellar, 7 N. County St., celebrates its ninth anniversary with seasonal sales, hot soups and ciders to taste and much more, starting at noon.

-- Federal Supply, 116 Washington St., offers seasonal snacks and sales starting at noon.

-- Big Ed’s, 30 N. Genesee St., will host a Scentsy representative starting at noon. Big Ed’s will also be offering a special on their famous pulled pork sandwich.

For more information, visit WaukeganMainStreet.org or call 847-623-6650.

Event Summary

What: HolidayWauk

Where: Downtown Waukegan, Genesee Street between Lake Street and Grand Avenue

When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About Waukegan Main Street

Waukegan Main Street is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rebuilding and reinventing Waukegan’s historic downtown business district by partnering with residents, small-business owners, property owners, developers, the City of Waukegan and entities such as the Waukegan Park District, the Waukegan Port District and the Waukegan Public Library. With programs that help small businesses thrive and events that bring people of all ages downtown, Waukegan Main Street is a driving force in creating a more vibrant downtown.

Media Contacts: Jane Ferry, 847-623-6650, jane@waukeganmainstreet.org.

Pictures from last year available upon request.