'Elfing around' and more this holiday season in Barrington

Posted November 17, 2020 10:00 pm

Elena Ferrarin

School of Rock Barrington, 100 W. Main St. in Barrington, is one of many businesses decorated with the theme "Just Elfing Around Barrington!" this holiday season. The artwork was created by Doug Jennings of Kaleidoscope School of Fine Art. Courtesy Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce

Residents and visitors in Barrington can look forward to festive decorations and events this holiday season, courtesy of local artists, student artists and the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce.

The holiday season's theme is "Just Elfing Around Barrington!" featuring colorful window decorations, holiday lights and lots of elves doing mischief.

Francesca's Famiglia, 100 E. Station St. in Barrington, was decorated by artists Barb Rydz Ross, left, and Adriana Calcev. Courtesy Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce

Artists from the Barrington Area Artists Association and student artists from Barrington High School teamed up with local merchants to decorate windows this week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open downtown Barrington for the holiday season takes place at 4 p.m. Tuesday along Cook Street.

Christi's Sweet Café, 121A Barrington Commons Court in Barrington, is one of many businesses decorated with the theme "Just Elfing Around Barrington!" this holiday season. Courtesy Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce

Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Suzanne Corr encouraged families to make downtown Barrington a destination. "The holiday windows will offer a great family outing. Come shop, stroll and be merry!" she said.

Other holiday events planned in Barrington:

• A virtual tree-lighting at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and streamed live on the chamber's YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages. During the day there will be live holiday music from 1 to 5 p.m. in downtown Barrington.

People also can drive or walk past the "Wave-By" Santa at the Santa House on South Cook Street and Park Avenue from 1 to 5 p.m. Santa will be giving out individually wrapped candy canes via his "socially distanced PCV pipe candy cane chute."

Members of the Barrington Area Artists Assocation participated in decorating the windows of Barrington Barber Shop, 219 Park Ave. Pictured here are, from left, Jackie Smith, Julie Smith and Sandra Chlebek. Courtesy Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce

• Visitors are invited to "Shop, Stroll and Be Merry"' at the Barrington Holiday Walk with live holiday street music from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 12.

Tickets are $25 each in advance at bacc.ticketleap.com/barrington-holiday-walk/details. Event check-in is at the corner of South Cook Street and Park Avenue.

Visitors will get a free metallic shopping bag, a coupon booklet, a drink ticket for a takeout coffee, tea, hot chocolate or specialty drink from one of the local coffee spots, and a chance to win a $100 bill, as well as local gift certificates. Winners will be announced every hour.

Throughout the holiday season, visitors to downtown Barrington are encouraged to post an "Elfie" from their visit and tag the chamber's Facebook and Instagram pages for a chance to win prizes.

The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce has about 900 members across the 11 communities it serves: Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Inverness, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Long Grove, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington and Tower Lakes.

For more information, visit barringtonchamber.com or call (847) 381-2525.

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