PRESS RELEASE
Date Issued: Nov. 8, 2012
Holiday fun will arrive on Santa’s sleigh as he makes his way down Cass Avenue with the Frosty and Friends Parade on Friday, Nov. 23 in downtown Westmont. Joined by flying carpets, live music, real reindeer, a giant stilt walker, and even the Grinch, the Westmont Holly Days Frosty and Friends Parade and Tree Lighting is an exciting part of our Holly Days Festival Opening Ceremonies.
“This year, the Frosty & Friends Parade is celebrating its 15th Anniversary,” says Park District Director Ron Gunter. “The parade and tree lighting has been a great tradition in our community for many years and we want to make sure we thank the Westmont Auto Mile for sponsoring the event.”
The Holly Days Opening Ceremonies will be held on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, in downtown Westmont. Starting at 5:00 p.m., there will be hot chocolate, refreshments, and entertainment throughout the evening at Westmont Centre, One S. Cass Avenue. At 5:00 p.m., there will be a choral performance by Holy Trinity Church, followed by the Westmont High School Madrigals at 5:30 p.m. Also at 5:30 p.m., children will be excited to meet real reindeer from the North Pole and our Holly Days giant stilt walker. And at 6:00 p.m., the Westview Hills Middle School Band will perform.
The highlight of the evening is the Frosty & Friends Parade and Tree Lighting Countdown Ceremony. Starting at 6:45 p.m., the parade will head south on Cass Avenue from Naperville Road to Richmond Street. After the parade, our grand marshal Frosty the Snowman will meet up with Santa and Mrs. Claus to invite the entire community to help with the Holly Days Tree Lighting countdown. After the tree lighting, everyone is invited to Westmont Centre to share their holiday wishes and get their picture taken with Santa for free.
The Holly Days Opening Ceremonies are sponsored by the Westmont Auto Mile including Acura, Audi, BMW, Infiniti and Lexus. For more information regarding our local car dealerships on Ogden Avenue, visit their website at www.WestmontAutoMile.com.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO BRING CANNED FOOD GOODS TO THE PARADE
Residents are encouraged to bring non-perishables and canned food goods to the parade. The People’s Resource Center will have collection locations at the Knights of Columbus, 25 N. Cass, and at the Westmont Special Events office in Westmont Centre, 1 S. Cass. All donations will be given to local families in need.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES OPEN HOUSE BEFORE PARADE
Several of the businesses in downtown Westmont will be having an open house on Nov. 23 prior to the parade. Many businesses will also be open on Saturday, Nov. 24 during Small Business Saturday. Everyone is invited to stop by for refreshments, prizes and special offers. Also, there will be free gift wrapping available on Small Business Saturday for any item purchased in Downtown Westmont. For a complete listing of businesses that will be participating, visit the Westmont Chamber website at www.WestmontChamber.com.
HOLLY DAYS CRAFT BAZAAR & PANCAKE BREAKFAST NOV. 18
The Sunday before Thanksgiving, there will be a pancake breakfast and Holly Days Craft Bazaar at the Westmont Park District, 55 and 75 E. Richmond Street. Come and check out all of the holiday craft and gift ideas as more than 30 vendors participate in this annual tradition.
HOLLY DAYS CONTINUES THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER
And that’s not all! Guests are invited to participate in one of the many activities that occur through the end of December.
From Nov. 18 through Dec. 31, everyone should come by and see the wonderful lighted displays and Tree Walk around Veterans Memorial Park, 75 E. Richmond Street.
Families and kids of all ages are invited to visit Santa’s Workshop at the Westmont Park District Office, 55 E. Richmond, on Dec. 8, 15 and 22. All events are from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Come and be part of Santa's Westmont Winter Wonderland on Dec. 8, which will include learning about dog sledding from experts at Adopt-A-Huskie. Santa’s Silver Screen will be on Dec. 15 and will include a Westmont Jr. High Swing Choir performance and a showing of "The Muppets Christmas Carol". And on Dec. 22, Santa’s Workshop will transform into a Grinchy Cave - stop by and visit the Whobilation.
For more information regarding all of the events included in the Holly Days Festival, visit the Westmont Park District website at www.wpd4fun.org or call 630- 963-5252.
Contact: Larry McIntyre,
Village of Westmont Media Relations
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
