Arlington Hts. quasquicentennial begins with tree lighting

The holiday tree-lighting ceremony Friday evening marked the official start of Arlington Heights' quasquicentennial, or 125th anniversary of incorporation.

“The entire community was turning on the lights, not just one or two people,” said Lauree Harp, chairwoman of the committee heading up the village's celebration.

“That's what we're celebrating this year — it's community,” said Harp, who helped Village President Arlene Mulder throw the switch that turned on 80,000 colored and crystal lights on displays throughout North School Park.

Everyone should learn how to pronounce “quasquicentennial,” said Mulder.

The slogan of the 125th celebration is “Honor the Past. Celebrate the Present. Explore the Future.”

Mulder said having artist Jack Musich, whose nostalgic paintings are on the committee's website, on the stage represented the past; Harp the present; and Harp's 4-year-old granddaughter, Mckenzee Johnson of Lake Zurich, the future.

The committee has asked organizations in Arlington Heights to celebrate the quasquicentennial at their regularly planned events such as Frontier Days in July. Many of the events are on the committee's calendar, which is available on the website arlingtonheights125.com for $20.

Special activities will include at least 20 decorated fiberglass locomotives displayed throughout the village next summer, along the lines of the Ponies on Parade in 2000. Companies and families can order a train until Thursday, Dec. 1.

Harp made the point that all the committee's funds come from private sponsors, not tax dollars.

Entertainment at the lighting ceremony included the Hersey High School Dickens carolers and Arlington Heights Park District dance groups. The huge tree in the center of the lighted decorations was donated by Jim and Barb Kesteloot.