Cocoa Crawl on Saturday welcomes holiday season in Roselle

Cups of hot cocoa on what may prove to be a chilly winter's day will warm visitors in Roselle's Town Center Saturday, Nov. 30, when the village hosts its fourth annual Cocoa Crawl.

The fun begins at 1 p.m. in the Roselle Public Library where Santa is expected to arrive shortly after a 90-minute jaunt around town when he'll greet residents and help usher in the holiday season, said Kristen Lawson, the library's youth services department manager.

“Santa gets on a firetruck and goes around the whole village of Roselle,” Lawson said. “He ends at the library close to 2 p.m. He meets with kids and families for the rest of the afternoon until about 5 p.m. While Santa is riding around town, the party starts at the library.”

Lawson said live entertainment will include an interactive children's musical show on the library's main floor featuring Kevin and the Infinite Possibilities.

Beginning at 1 p.m., visitors may snag free “fast passes” to see Santa.

“You get a little ticket with a time on it,” Lawson said. The idea is to diminish long waits in line, she said.

Rose Queen Sarah Abraham also will be at the library to greet Santa and holiday revelers, she said.

While the library will be serving up chocolate treats, the cocoa part of the celebration goes into high gear at 2 p.m. when visitors can check out Roselle Main Street Merchants Association member businesses, where cups of the chocolaty treat will be available.

At each participating stop, visitors can get their Cocoa Crawl passport stamped to become eligible for prizes.

Costumed characters, including the Grinch and Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” will be outdoors at the Civic Plaza at Main and Prospect streets. A trolley also will run along Main Street.

Crawlers can visit an ornament-making station presented by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Roselle Lions Club at the American Legion Post 1084 Hall, 344 E. Maple Ave.

Ornaments will adorn the Roselle Community Tree, which will be lighted for the first time this season at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Lawson said the Cocoa Crawl is fast becoming a local holiday tradition.

“Lots of people come out for it. I think we had 600 in the library last year,” she said. “It's so popular and people love it.”

Roselle Cocoa Crawl

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30

Where: Roselle Public Library, 40 S. Park St. and Civic Plaza, Main and Prospect streets

Admission: Free

Info: roselle.il.us