Warrenville ready to celebrate Holly Days
An encore performance by the Warrenville Park District performing arts dancers will greet holiday revelers Friday at the annual Holly Days celebration.
The 92-member dance troupe, featuring performers as young as 2½, as well as preteens and teens, will reprise highlights from its Dec. 1 Hubble Middle School performance of "Nutcracker's Delight," said Ruth Brackmann, park district recreation supervisor. The show includes several scenes from the two-act Christmas ballet.
"We'll be doing six different numbers throughout Holly Days," she said.
The Friday night party also features a parade, a tree-lighting, Santa's arrival and arts performances by Warrenville-area students.
Brackmann said the Esprit Show Choir from Wheaton Warrenville South High School will get the evening rolling and take the outdoor stage at the corner of Warren Avenue and Tracy Place about 5:45 p.m.
At 6 p.m., the Santa Parade will begin outside city hall.
"The choir will open with a singalong and then Santa will arrive with the Tunes of Glory bagpipe band in a horse-drawn carriage," she said.
When Santa gets to the city's holiday tree, he'll help Mayor David Brummel and park district officials light it around 6:10 p.m.
Brackmann said the tree, permanently planted in the center of downtown, serves as a holiday centerpiece year after year.
Choirs from Bower and Johnson elementary schools and from Hubble Middle School will each take a turn on stage to perform holiday favorites.
After the tree-lighting, Santa will invite children to consult with him about their Christmas dreams and wishes in the warm and cozy recreation center all-purpose room. Given his world travels, Santa speaks both English and Spanish.
For those who remain outside, several fire pits will help chase away the chill and bleachers set up near the stage will provide seating. Brackmann said many visitors bring their own chairs.
Two horse-drawn carriages will offer free rides, and the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce will provide free cookies and hot chocolate.
With hundreds of visitors typically celebrating Holly Days, the street is closed to traffic for the evening beginning at 4 p.m.
"The street is packed with people," Brackmann said. "It's just another bit of the unique charm you get from the Warrenville community. It's a very traditional event."
If you go
What: Warrenville Holly Days
When: 5:45 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7
Where: Warren Avenue and Tracy Place
Admission: Free
Info: <a href="http://www.warrenvilleparks.org">www.warrenvilleparks.org</a>