Lisle glows with Christmas spirit through weekend festivities

Lisle is sharing so much Christmas spirit this weekend, Santa just may consider permanently relocating from the North Pole.

As he visits for the Santa Parade Saturday, Dec. 5, Old St. Nick will see the community celebrating Once Upon a Christmas. The two-day event connecting holiday activities in the village's downtown with festivities at the Museums at Lisle Station Park wraps around the Lights of Lisle tree-lighting and luminaria display Saturday and rides on the Lisle Santa Train Sunday, Dec. 6.

With that much seasonal spirit, Santa may decide Lisle might as well be the North Pole.

Once Upon a Christmas festivities open at 3 p.m. Saturday with theatrical performances by a troupe of comedic dancing and singing costumed characters known as Those Funny Little People.

Santa will make his entrance at 4 p.m. when he appears on a float in the Santa Parade, which begins at Ogden Avenue and Main Street and travels south on Main Street to Burlington Avenue.

"He'll be on the hayride. He's accompanied by the Lisle Junior High School band," said Barb Libby, executive assistant to the village manager. "The mayor is in the parade as well."

As daylight fades Saturday, the encroaching darkness will be held at bay by a soft glow lighting the way for pedestrians visiting Lisle. Hundreds of luminarias - votive candles anchored with sand inside brown paper bags - will be lit as part of the Lights of Lisle.

The traditional lanterns will be placed along sidewalks and around the Prairie Walk Pond two blocks west of the village hall on Route 53 by a group of volunteers from local organizations, including the Lisle High School Key Club, the Knights of Columbus and several Scout groups, said Katie Palombit of the Lisle Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The flickering flames, a low-tech complement to the dazzling displays of electric lights carefully strung through tree branches and adorning street lampposts on Main Street and throughout the downtown, are a prelude to the 6 p.m. lighting of the Christmas tree at the village hall.

Mayor Joseph Broda will flip the light switch, Palombit said, and the Lisle Community Band will perform.

Libby said food trucks and a heated tent will be set up in the commuter rail lot from 3 to 8 p.m. From 4 to 6 p.m., musical entertainment will be presented in the village hall board room. Performers will include Paryl Music Studio piano students and the St. Joan of Arc Elementary Choir.

From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., a free trolley will transport holiday revelers through the downtown area to see the sights and stop at retailers participating in the Passport Program. Passport-holders who get their passport stamped at each of the five destinations will receive a prize, organizers said. Passports are available at all five participating merchants.

At the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., visitors will find an 1800s-era holiday celebration for Once Upon a Christmas.

"All the buildings are decorated in 1800s style," said Alana Shuma, museum curator. "We have a blacksmith shop that will be open. There will be a demonstration going on. In the Netzley Yender house, we'll be cooking in the beehive oven."

Volunteers will bake cornbread and apple pie in the wood-fired oven, which can get as hot as 500 degrees, Shuma said. Visitors will be invited to try samples of the baked goods.

Children's craft projects will be available in the Beau Bien Tavern, while Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the train depot.

"It's the actual train depot in Lisle from 1874 to 1978," Shuma said.

On Saturday, an ice carver will show off his craft from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., she said.

Once Upon a Christmas continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday when live reindeer will be at the park, Shuma said. A piano recital and singalong is planned from 2 to 3 p.m.

Lisle's Santa Train will leave the Lisle station at 9:45 a.m. and again at 1:45 p.m. for a 75-minute round trip with Santa and costumed characters. Tickets, $16, must be purchased in advance. For information, call (800) 733-9811.

If you go

What: Lights of Lisle and Once Upon a Christmas

When: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; Once Upon a Christmas continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: Downtown Lisle and at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle

Cost: Free

Info: lisleparkdistrict.org, villageoflisle.org and stayinlisle.com