Nutcrackers to be on parade through Rosemont for the holidays
Similar to the Cows on Parade concept, Rosemont will unveil 20 painted and personalized nutcrackers in and around town for the holidays.
The Nutcracker Village public art installation is being done in conjunction with a theater company that's putting on the famous Christmas ballet Dec. 3 at the Rosemont Theatre.
“These life-size nutcrackers representing some of our many businesses and organizations will spread holiday cheer amongst our visitors while also giving back to the community,” Mayor Brad Stephens said in an announcement.
Each six-foot nutcracker is sponsored by a Rosemont business, venue or organization, including the Big Ten Conference, Chicago Dogs, Chicago Wolves, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Truluck's Oceans Finest Seafood, and entities connected to village government.
Many of the large toy soldiers will have designs inspired by the particular organization sponsor — take the Rosemont Theatre's red roses, for example — though others might just have a general holiday theme or color scheme.
Four professional artists, hired through the Live Art International creative agency, are putting finishing touches on the nutcrackers ahead of their unveiling Nov. 18 during Rosemont's Light Up The Park tree lighting event at the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district.
The ice skating rink opens that day at 11 a.m. followed by other family-friendly activities at 2 p.m. Stephens will help turn on more than 80,000 lights throughout the park at 5:30 p.m.
The nutcrackers will be clustered around Crust Brewing, located in the entertainment district, Nov. 20-30.
Then they will go to the theater Dec. 3, when Talmi Entertainment puts on two performances of its NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. A check presentation is planned in between shows, as a portion of proceeds from sponsorships will be donated to Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge.
Finally, the custom-painted soldiers will cap off the holidays at the Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field Dec. 7-31.
They're eventually expected to end up at each of the businesses, who will then own them, officials said.
While it's the first tour of nutcrackers in Rosemont, the village did host a similar art exhibit in 2019 that featured eight custom-painted, playable pianos designed by student artists.