'Celebrate the Season' and Roselle Winterfest return Dec. 3
Kick off the holiday season in Roselle with free, family-friendly events all afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 3.
The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with Roselle Public Library's "Celebrate the Season," held in conjunction with the 2022 Roselle Winterfest.
Get your pass for a Santa visit starting at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 40 S. Park St.
Live music from Laura Doherty and the Heartbeats will entertain from 1 to 2 p.m. in the atrium of the library.
Santa is scheduled to arrive by fire truck at 2 p.m. and will greet the children and hear all about their holiday wish lists along with the reigning Rose Ambassador starting at 2:15 p.m.
Afterward head on over to the Roselle Winterfest from 2 to 5 p.m.
The annual holiday festival will feature strolling carolers, food trucks, an ice sculpture, trolley stops along Main Street, the lighting of the Community Tree and more.
Families may bring an ornament from home or make one with Roselle Lions Club at the fire station to go on the Community Tree. Note, ornaments placed on the Roselle Community Tree will be considered donations and not be returned to participants.
Entertainment at the Civic Plaza, off Prospect and Main streets, will start at 2 p.m. holiday songs by Girl Scout Troop 55800 and the Rose Court. It will be followed by Rose Court Storytimes at 2:25 p.m., 2:55 and 3:55 p.m. "Lights, Camera, Dancin'" begins at 2:30 p.m., and Elf on the Shelf Storytime at 3:25 p.m. The Action Dance Crew will perform at 3:30 p.m. and the Roselle Fine Arts Academy at 4 p.m.
Enjoy holiday music at 4:25 p.m. before the Holiday Tree Lighting with Santa and Mayor David Pileski at 5 p.m.
Elsa and Anna from "Frozen" will be traveling around town starting at 2 p.m. on Main Street, between Roselle Road and Lynfred Lane, at village hall at 2:30 p.m., Civic Plaza at 3 p.m., Pollyanna Brewing Co. at 3:30 p.m., Roselle Fine Arts Academy at 4 p.m., then back to Lynfred Lane and Main Street at 4:30 p.m.
While you're at Pollyanna Brewing Co., check out the gingerbread house contest display and put in your vote for your favorite. The brewery also is celebrating its fifth anniversary on Dec. 3.
The Boy Scouts also will be offering free popcorn at the village hall and fire station.
New this year, Roselle Winterfest will feature a Gingerbread House Contest. The first- and second-place winners will be announced at the Winterfest tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.
Also, next weekend, on Saturday, Dec. 10, the Roselle Main Street Merchants will be hosting a Meet & Greet with The Grinch from 10 a.m. to noon at Happy by Chocolates' new location, 116 S. Prospect St. Snap a picture with The Grinch and get all toasty inside with some hot chocolate! They also will be collecting nonperishable items to be donated to the Roselle UMC Community Food Pantry. This is a free event but register to reserve your spot at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5635024.