Cantigny celebrates the season
For anyone who hasn't yet shot the perfect frame suitable for inclusion in this season's holiday greeting cards, a trip to Cantigny Park on Saturday may be in order.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, live reindeer and landscapes bright with twinkling lights promise to provide a worthy photographic backdrop when the Wheaton park presents this year's "Celebrate the Season" event.
In its fifth year, the party goes from 4-7 p.m. and offers free admission with a $2 parking fee after 4 p.m. The parking fee is $5 earlier in the day.
"We set it up so there's something for all ages. Naturally, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there," said Jeff Reiter, Cantigny senior communications manager. "The parents just love our Santa. We let people take their own photos."
While Santa is meeting with children in the visitors center, Mrs. Claus will be in the McCormick Museum.
"She'll read stories to younger children under the tree," Reiter said.
Visitors will be serenaded by the Canterbury Carollers, a Victorian Christmas ensemble that will be strolling through the buildings and grounds.
"They're very popular. They've even sung at the White House," he said. "They're in demand and we're lucky to have them."
Suzuki String students from Wheaton College's Community School of the Arts, including cello, viola and chamber ensembles, will perform at the First Division Museum. Musicians in the program are as young as preschool age and as old as high school age.
Face painting also will be available at the First Division Museum for a $3 charge; horse-drawn sleigh rides are $2 per person.
Back at the visitors center, shoppers will find one-of-a-kind treasures at the Mistletoe Market, which opens at 1 p.m. and remains open throughout the event.
"It's more than a craft fair; it's a homemade gift fair," Reiter said.
Thirty vendors will offer a variety of gift items at the market, said Alicia Anderson, Cantigny's membership and retail operations manager.
"It's all handcrafted - jewelry, wreaths, homemade treats like toffee, some baked goods," she said. "They do bring non-holiday items as well. I would suggest coming more around the one o'clock time because it's not as crowded. Last year we had people coming in at noon."
The McCormick Museum will have an open house from 5-7 p.m. Saturday. Inside, visitors can see the Community Trees exhibit of artificial trees decorated by local nonprofit organizations.
Reiter said this year seven organizations are participating.
"The nonprofits decorate them with a theme that reflects their mission," he said. "People can vote for their favorite."
Each participating organization receives a $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The agency whose tree gets the most visitor votes will receive an additional $2,500 grant, he said. The exhibit ends Dec. 30.
A children's craft project will be going on at the museum as well.
"There's a lot packed into the three hours of the festival," Reiter said. "Families kind of like that."
If you go
What: Celebrate the Season Festival
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday; Mistletoe Market open from 1-7 p.m.
Cost: Free; $2 parking fee after 4 p.m., $5 parking fee before 4 p.m.
Info: www.cantigny.org or (630) 668-5161