Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Window Wonderland is Coming to Downtown!


While we may not know who is naughty and who is nice...although we have a pretty good idea...we are making a list (and checking it twice) of all the family fun events, activities and attractions on tap for Downtown Elgin Window Wonderland: Miracle on the Streets - Presented by Provena St. Joseph Hospital on Saturday, December 4 from 12-5pm.

Events and attractions include:
Santa's Crew Live Reindeer at Civic Plaza at the northwest corner of Highland and Douglas Avenues;
Live Nativity Scene with Petting Zoo at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland Avenue;
Photos with Santa (1-5pm) in the lobby of the Burritt Building at 25 S. Grove Avenue;
Holiday Window Decorating Contest Judging throughout downtown Elgin;
Chestnut Roasting in front of Quiznos Subs at 59 Douglas Avenue;
Heated Holiday Trolley to shuttle Window Wonderland visitors around the various activities from 2-6pm;
Free Ice Skating from Noon-9pm at City-Skate at Elgin Civic Plaza behind City Hall at 150 Dexter Court;
Holiday Song and Dance at Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano at 13 Douglas Avenue, including holiday karaoke;
U.S. Postal Service Holiday Stamp Unveiling at 10 Douglas Avenue;
AND NEW THIS YEAR! Horse Drawn Carriage Rides up and down the streets of downtown Elgin for $5 per person (children 5 and under FREE) from Noon-3pm.
The day culminates with the City of Elgin’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, which includes a musical performance by Elgin Children's Chorus and a special appearance by Santa Claus on a fire truck, at Civic Plaza at 150 Dexter Court at 5pm. Families are invited to The Hemmens Cultural Center at 45 Symphony Way from 3-5pm to make ornaments to be placed on the tree.

The Weeklong Window Wonderland Holiday Passport features 20 “stops” at local businesses in downtown Elgin offering holiday activities, gifts or refreshments as well as discounts on merchandise. Those who collect a minimum of 7 passport stamps from November 27-December 4 will receive a free photo with Santa at the Burritt Building. Window Wonderland passports will be available beginning Monday, November 29 at downtown businesses, the Centre of Elgin, or Gail Borden Public Library to get a head start on voting for your favorite decorated window, collecting passport stamps and holiday dining and shopping in downtown Elgin!

In the spirit of the season, Window Wonderland will also feature a Coat Drive at Elgin Public House at 219 E. Chicago Street courtesy of Landin Chiropractic to benefit the Salvation Army as well as a collection site at 10 Douglas Avenue for the Community Crisis Center's Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway, taking place on December 16 at The Hemmens Cultural Center. All visitors who bring a new, unwrapped toy between $5-25 to the Window Wonderland collection site will receive a voucher for a free photo with Santa.

In addition to Saturday’s activities, the downtown Elgin area will also serve as host to several family-friendly activities all weekend long:

VEX Theatre will be presenting a new entertainment adventure for teens and adults. “Twist-a-Carol” features comedy, theater and song. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday December 3 and Saturday, December 4 with a matinee performance on Sunday, December 5. Tickets are $10. For reservations go to http://www.vextheatre.org/

Troupe America Inc. presents the musical comedy “Away in the Basement - A Church Basement Ladies Christmas”. A fun-filled Holiday Show for the whole family at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin. Showtimes are 2:00pm & 7:30pm on Saturday, December 4 and 3:00pm on Sunday, December 5. Call 847.931.5590 or visit http://www.hemmens.org/ for more information.

On Saturday, December 4 at 1:00pm the Elgin Historical Society hosts A Holiday Tea at the Elgin History Museum at 360 Park Street featuring the Elgin Children’s Chorus. For more information, visit http://www.elginhistory.org/

Come visit the first monthly Urban Eden Market from 10am-3pm at “The Haight” at 166 Symphony Way where fresh seasonal goods & foods, baked bread, organic teas & spices, health & beauty, antiques & collectibles, renewable energy, sustainable technology, interactive art & crafts will be available for your pleasure. Visitors will also enjoy holiday jazz, steaming cider, hot chocolate, animals from Lord’s Park Zoo, a Kidz Zone, kids' group mural painting, book signings, the French Chef boogie from the Polar Express and a sneak peak of the new documentary “Grow Wise”. Be sure to come back at 5 p.m. for the Garden Party.

The DNA and the City of Elgin are also proud to again renew our partnership with Elgin Home for the Holidays – a collaborative effort consisting of over two dozen local not-for-profit organizations to promote the events, activities and volunteer opportunities available to Elgin residents during the holiday season. For a comprehensive listing of all Elgin holiday events throughout the months of November and December, visit http://www.elginhomefortheholidays.com/

The DNA would like to thank our 2010 Sponsors: Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick, Insure One, and the City of Elgin.