Bloomingdale groups add sparkle to Snowman Crossing

Follow the Snowman Crossing to the Bloomingdale Public Library and you'll discover a jolly man in a red suit.

Gather around and wait for the magic as Santa lights the night. Bloomingdale's tree-lighting begins at 6:45 p.m. today outside the library, 101 Fairfield Way.

“Last year, there were just hundreds of people outside in the cold. It was freezing,” said Shauna Porteus, library business manager. “That's what's sort of really cool about the event. Despite the economy and that it's freezing, people still want to come out and celebrate something together.”

Following the tree-lighting, refreshments and activities take place throughout the library. Children's entertainment includes face painters and jugglers.

The Lake Park High School chorus will perform in the Lake Park meeting room AB about 7:15 p.m.

Additionally, a pianist and harpist will play.

This year, 15 community groups participated in Snowman Crossing the decorating of cut Christmas trees positioned along Fairfield Avenue. Groups decorate their tree, usually with a theme, between Nov. 24 and 29.

Members of the quilters club Loose Threads will decorate a tree for the first time this year, said member Irene Jones.

Ornaments will include laminated pictures of quilts, ornaments sewn into freezer bags, and for the topper a foam board cutout of an old fashioned sewing machine.

One challenge is preserving the ornaments and decorations while they hang outdoors in the elements for a month.

Some decorations will be enclosed in fabric, while others will be made from lasting materials such as the Loose Thread foam decorations that read “We're material girls” and “Joy.”

“The trees are really pretty,” Jones said.

Snowman Crossing goes aglow along with the other lights as Santa flips the switch tonight.

Like most libraries during these unstable financial times, Bloomingdale has experienced a huge increase in usership. Circulation numbers have increased by about 20 percent, Porteus said. And nearly twice as many people attended events this fall than in the past, due in part to the cancellation of the village's fall events for financial reasons.

Regardless of the reason, Porteus says she's excited to see the turnout as the lights turn on for the season.

“It's one of those feel-good holiday events where the community gets to come together right before the holidays,” Porteus said.

For information, call (630) 529-3120.

<p><b>Bloomingdale holiday tree-lighting</b></p>

<p>When: 6:45 p.m. today</p>

<p>Where: Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way</p>

<p>Cost: Free</p>

<p>Info: (630) 529-3120</p>