Festivities to illuminate downtown Glen Ellyn

Jane Stroh is decking out her downtown Glen Ellyn bookstore for this year's annual Holiday Walk.

She'll incorporate the event's theme of "The Polar Express" into her window display, along with her traditional rocking chair for families to read in.

Stroh, who owns of The Bookstore, also will serve cookies and hot cocoa - along with many other stores.

"We're just really looking forward to it and hoping there will be lots of people downtown," she said.

For more than three decades, Glen Ellyn's Chamber of Commerce has hosted a Holiday Walk and tree lighting ceremony downtown.

This year's festivities kick off with Celebrate the Season from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, where residents can listen to the Glen Ellyn Wheaton Chorale, Anima, Treble Chorus and OneVoice Choir. There also will be crafts and refreshments until Santa Claus arrives downtown.

Santa is scheduled to arrive at 6 p.m. to light the Christmas tree at Crescent Boulevard and Main Street.

Thousands of people are expected to attend, said Georgia Koch, co-executive director of the chamber of commerce.

"It's just a marvelous way for everybody to get together and kick off the holiday season," Koch said. "It's also great if you have out-of-town guests."

After the lighting, Santa will greet people at Glen Ellyn Fire Station No. 1, at Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street.

Stroh says he enjoys the walk because many customers stop by.

"I really enjoy the spirit of community that I think happens around the event," she said. "I think it's the tradition part of it that I like best. It's just always a part of many families' holiday celebrations every year."