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newlenoxpatriot.com NEWS
the New Lenox Patriot | December 13, 2018 | 5
Village’s annual Christmas event provides super-sized holiday cheer
Deadline to send
mail to Santa’s
mailbox in the
Commons is Dec. 16
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
New Lenox transformed
into a winter wonderland at
the annual Christmas in the
Commons Kick-Off Celebration
on Dec. 2.
The event featured holiday
favorites including pictures
with Santa, ice skating,
crafts, entertainment, shopping
at the Holiday Market
and much more.
The most magical moment
came at dusk when Mayor
Tim Baldermann flipped the
seasonal switch and lit up
all of the twinkling features
including the largest illuminated
Santa Claus in the
United States. Despite rainy
weather, the kick-off event
still drew a large turnout as
families were eager to embrace
the start of the Christmas
season.
“We don’t have ideal
weather today, but there’s
still so many people who
came out here,” said Baldermann,
who enjoyed spending
time with his family at
the event. “We have so many
hardworking staff members,
volunteers and community
members that come together
to make this happen, and
then our community comes
out. This is such a great
town and the residents really
embody what the spirit
of Christmas is all about.
That’s what I love the most.”
Christmas in the Commons
has events and activities
scheduled for every Saturday
and Sunday through
Dec. 23. Megan Applegate,
administrative assistant to
Baldermann, explained that
there is even more to love
New Lenox Community Park District Board Vice President Brian Fischer enjoys a cup of hot chocolate Dec. 2 during the
Village’s Christmas in the Commons celebration. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
Christmas in the Commons attendees in awe of the giant
Illuminated Santa Claus the Village puts up every holiday
season.
about the event in 2018.
“This year we’ve got
a number of new things.
[We’ve got a craft beer fest
Saturday Dec. 15 – with local
breweries coming in],
and we have a Holiday
Sweets and Treats Sale on
Dec. 22,” Applegate said.
“There will be horse-drawn
carriage rides every Saturday
and we’ll also have
Santa every Sunday. We’ve
got holiday character visits
– Anna, Elsa, The Grinch,
Buddy the Elf, Minnie,
Mickey, Elf on the Shelf –
with a ton of different characters
coming on each of
the Saturdays.”
Applegate added that the
Holiday Market – which
has a rotating lineup of vendors
– will also be open for
business every weekend and
there will be activities inside
Village Hall, as well.
Santa Claus was the star of
the show during the kick-off
event as families lined-up
to share Christmas wishes
and take photos with him
and Mrs. Claus. Mokena
residents P.J., 6, and Payton
Duchrane, 4, were hoping to
find a PS4 remote controller
and Pikmi Pop under their
tree on Christmas morning.
The Ducharnes also
shared some of their favorite
things about the holidays.
“I like my dad putting up
the lights on our wall,” P.J.
said.
“I like when I make snow
angels,” Payton added.
While attendees waited
to visit with Jolly Old Saint
Nick, they enjoyed performances
from a number of
local groups including the
Lincoln-Way Area Chorale
Madrigal Group. Artistic Director
Elise Green explained
that the 16-member choir especially
enjoys performing
for the community.
“We love reaching out
to the community and letting
people hear what we
do,” Green said. “People
that don’t normally come to
our concerts who might not
know we exist. We’re in our
24th year and we’re right in
this community. And most of
these singers have done a lot
of performing all their lives
so I think they love being up
close and personal to the audience
and being able to see
their reactions. I think we all
like that.”
The opening day of the
Holiday Market featured
one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone
on your shopping
list. Those looking for
sweets will want to stop by
booth six during the remaining
market days as Barbara
Hoffman’s Covered in Chocolate,
Inc, with the Cookie
Garden, will be on site each
and every weekend.
“I did it last year and I had
a blast,” Hoffman said. “Our
Ryan Johnson, of Richton Park, mails a letter to Santa. The
mailbox is located next to the illuminated Santa Claus and
the deadline to send mail is Dec. 16.
best sellers are any of our
truffles and our marshmallow
wands. You can eat off
the wand or you can put it in
your hot chocolate. And our
double stuffed cookies are
delicious.”
Now that the Commons
has transformed into a magical
holiday oasis, families
can also enjoy driving – or
walking – around the lake
to witness the wonderful
light displays on weekdays
as well as weekends. Santa’s
Mailbox is also ready to accept
letters to the North Pole
any day of the week. Santa
has informed event organizers
that as long as the notes
are dropped off by Dec. 16 –
and include a return address
– he will respond to every
holiday greeting.
More information about
upcoming Christmas in the
Commons events can be
found at www.newlenox.net.