Santa tours southeast Libertyville in the first of four neighborhood parades

The speed that Santa Claus uses to circle the globe on Christmas Eve was apparent as he circled a single Libertyville neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

"This is the fifth time we've seen him," said Andy Staniszewski as he stood on a corner with his family after catching Santa at different corners around their home. "I hope they do this again next year. It was fun."

His son Joey, 5, agreed as his parents held a sign over his head that said "Nice." Joey expected to get the fishing net that he asked for. "The message is clear," Andy said.

Because of COVID-19 concerns and rules against gatherings, Santa is parading over four days on every street in Libertyville, starting with the Stanszewskis' neighborhood southeast of the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 176 on Saturday. He will start another area at 3 p.m. Sunday, where families are sure to wait for him at the curb and perhaps gather around a firepit in the driveway.

A Santa tracker map is available at www.libertyville.com/santa for residents to bring blankets, holiday cookies, hot chocolate and chairs to watch as Santa goes by.