Grayslake plans holiday tree-lighting, art project
Grayslake's Village Center will be aglow Friday, Nov. 23, when a series of events, including the annual tree-lighting, the unveiling of a much-anticipated bicentennial public art project and the arrival of Santa, kicks off the holiday season.
The annual tree-lighting festivities start at 3 p.m. when families will begin visiting Santa at the Oasis Youth Center. The main event, the lighting of the village's holiday tree in Centennial Park at Whitney and Center Streets, takes place at 5:30 p.m. The tree-lighting will trigger more than 40 other trees throughout the Village Center. Festivities also include:
• A holiday window decorating contest in the Village Center staged by the new Downtown Grayslake Small Business Group. Participating businesses will have extended hours and have been encouraged to serve holiday treats as residents stroll past voting for their favorite windows.
• The annual Grayslake Giving Trees display at the Heritage Center. Each year, more than 1,000 residents visit this wonderland of trees decorated by local nonprofit and community organizations.
• The unveiling of the winner of the village's Illinois Bicentennial public art project, "From Prairie to Village," at the village hall at 5 p.m.
• The annual Holiday Fine Art Show and Sale, sponsored by the Grayslake Arts Alliance, in the boardroom, also at the village hall.
• Visits with Santa at the Oasis Youth Center, including a winter wonderland with arts and crafts, games, holiday movies, and more.
• Sleigh rides from 6-8 p.m.
• Holiday caroling both downtown and at the tree-lighting by student singers from Grayslake North High School.
• The Grayslake Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Holiday Market from 5-8 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
• Puppies from Save-A-Pet up for adoption at Grayslake Fire Station No. 1 on Hawley Street.
Grayslake village hall is at 10 Seymour Ave., Grayslake.
The unveiling of the winner of the village's bicentennial art project, "From Prairie to Village," set for 5 p.m. in village hall, is expected to be a highlight of the evening. The work will feature 20 paintings by Lake County artist Mary Haas, arranged together commemorating the history of Illinois and Grayslake.
"We are truly excited about the unveiling. It's the climax of months of work by the village, which put up $5,000 for the commission, and the Grayslake Arts Alliance, which drew up the artist call and administered the competition," said Mayor Rhett Taylor.
Since October, Haas has been seen around town with her easel and brushes, painting "enplein air" various scenes to be used in the project, which will hang just outside the boardroom on the second floor of the village hall.
Haas will appear at the unveiling to greet viewers and discuss her work. The unveiling will also kick off the Grayslake Arts Alliance's annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, set for 5-8 p.m. in the adjacent room.
"The holiday show is our first at which residents can purchase art," said Marie Hines, co-chair of the group's events committee, which is planning the event.
"We are shooting for 50 pieces of art from 15 or more artists. We'll also have light refreshments and music."
The tree-lighting festivities are sponsored by a variety of local groups, including the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Oasis Youth Center, the Grayslake Arts Alliance, the village of Grayslake, and the Grayslake Historical Society, the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, and more.
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