Wood Dale welcomes the holidays with a bang

As it has for many years, Wood Dale is bringing in the holiday season with a bang. Literally.

The city's annual holiday tree-lighting celebration is from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at city hall, 404 N. Wood Dale Road.

One of the highlights? Fireworks.

“We've had them for a while now, and it's fun,” Wood Dale City Clerk Shirley Siebert said. “It's a really nice presentation for the residents.”

But children need not worry they've been good all year in vain; Santa and his wife, Mrs. Claus, also will be there to hear their holiday wishes. They'll arrive at city hall in a firetruck and help light the tree, then stick around until 5 p.m. to chat with little visitors and for photos.

Those who attend definitely shouldn't miss the performance by Fenton High School's Swing Choir from 2 to 2:30 p.m. in the city hall rotunda, Siebert said.

“They are just awesome; they are darling,” she said of the group. “They were popular with us long before ‘Glee.'”

Anyone wanting to spend a little time indoors warming up during the festivities can watch Christmas-themed movies, which will be on a loop in the city council chambers.

“Kids get a big kick out of that,” Siebert said.

There also will be wagon rides in the parking lot; holiday crafts and refreshments.

While much of the event is aimed at entertaining little ones, it's definitely a family event, Siebert said.

“It's geared toward children,” she said, “but adults like it, too.”

Admission is free. For details, visit wooddale.com or call (630) 766-4900.