Posted on: November 17, 2017[ARCHIVED] 2017 Holly Days Festival and Parade Nov. 25
The Holly Days Festival Committee is expecting its biggest turnout ever this Saturday, Nov. 25 in downtown Westmont. “Our pre-festival events were very well attended,” said Steve Golembiewski, Holly Days Committee Chair. “We’re expecting our best turnout ever for our Frosty & Friends Parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Free Pictures With Santa, Ugly Sweater 5K and all of our Small Business Saturday activities. We invite everyone to come down and enjoy the festivities.”
Santa’s reindeer and the elves will land on The Westmont Centre at 3:45 and be available for pictures until 6:45PM. The Westmont High School Madrigals will be singing their favorite holiday songs in the Westmont Centre lobby AT 4:00PM then, Westview Middle School Band will be performing at 4:30. The Frosty & Friends Parade will begin at 5:00PM and march down Cass Avenue from Chicago Avenue to Richmond Street. The parade will conclude with Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the Village of Westmont tree! Children of all ages can join Santa in the Westmont Centre afterwards for treats and a visit while listening to Holy Trinity’s Hand Chimes Ensemble. Bring your family, friends and neighbors to help ring in the holiday season at the one and only Holly days!
Christmas Eve by the Radio
All Ages
Saturday December 9, 3:00-4:30PM & 6:00-7:30PM Free!
LOCATION: Westmont Commons 117 N. Cass Ave
This holiday, PVPN returns to their tradition of bringing holiday radio classics to life on stage. Join us as we present a night of laughter, music and suspense with live productions of The Bickerson’s Christmas Eve, My Favorite Wife and much more. This is PVPN's annual gift to the community as we continue to put on these free performances, while collecting food items for the People's Resource Center of Westmont.
Snow-Much Fun Night
All ages welcome!
Saturday December 16, 3:00-7:30P Most activities are free
LOCATION: Veterans Memorial Park
Enjoy some holiday cheer at our new Snow-Much Fun Night! Be sure to bundle up because this is an indoor/outdoor event full of games, crafts, Santa’s Workshop and hot cocoa and much more. Take a ride on a mule drawn carriage and enjoy an afternoon with friends and family. Delight in the most enchanting winter experience in the area. This event is held at Veterans Memorial Park. Other activities include:
Dog Sledding Demonstration
Holiday Story Time
Curling and Broomball event
Ice Sculpting
Scavenger Hunt
Carolers
S’mores
Windy City Curling
All ages welcome!
Saturday December 16, 3:00-7:30PM Free!
LOCATION: Veterans Memorial Park Ice Rink
Windy City Curling is a curling club operating out of Rocket Ice Arena in Bolingbrook, IL The club is dedicated to building awareness of the sport through fun and education. New to curling, or looking to hone your skills? Come check out this free program, while learning about this sport! After a brief introduction to the sport, you will get a chance to participate in a scrimmage game. Bring your friends and play one of the fastest growing winter sports. Want to play now or learn more about curling? Additional opportunities are available year round - check out WindyCityCurling.com for more information. Please note: Program dependent on Ice rink status and condition.
Broomball
All ages welcome!
Saturday December 16, 3:00-7:30PM Free!
LOCATION: Veterans Memorial Park Ice Rink
Broomball was first played in Canada in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that leagues were actually created. It is a fun sport with simple rules. It follows many hockey rules and incorporates some soccer into it as well. Although Broomball is played on an ice rink, ice skating skills are not required because the players wear rubber-soled shoes instead of ice skates. The object of the game is to get the ball into the goal by only using your “stick”. (Just like hockey) You are invited to join us for a night of broomball at the park district. Grab your friends and enjoy a great time filled with laughs. Please note: Program dependent on Ice rink status and condition.
Rotary Club Holly Days Ugly Sweater 5k
All ages welcome!
Saturday November 25, 9:00AM $30 adult, $20 child (15 years and younger)
Westmont Rotary has donated over $45,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors in just the last 10 years and by participating in this run. Join family and friends for the Rotary Club Holly Days 5k through the streets of Westmont on Saturday, November 25. The race begins at 9:00am on Burlington Avenue in downtown Westmont. Participants may pre-register for this event; forms will be available at the Westmont Community Center or online at www.westmontrotaryclub.org. Pre-registration will be accepted until November 19. Race day registration fees are $10 more than those listed below. Race day registration takes place from 8:00-8:45am at the Westmont Center, 1 S. Cass Avenue. The first two hundred registered runners will receive a Rotary Club 5k t-shirt! Awards and refreshments will be given out at the completion of the race. All fitness levels are welcome to participate.
Other programs offered through the Community Center, please call 630-963-5252 for more info or keep scrolling!
Holly Days Giving Tree
In the spirit of giving, the Holly Days Committee will create a Giving Tree at the Community Center for local families who need some extra help this season. Each star on the tree will represent a Westmont neighbor who could use your help. Please stop in, select a star, purchase a gift and know that you’ve helped make a neighbor’s holiday brighter. Stars will be available beginning November 7. Gifts should be returned to the Community Center no later than December 6. Gifts will be picked up by the families on Wednesday, December 12 at the Westmont Centre, 1 S. Cass Avenue.
Holly Days Food Drive
Beginning Sunday, November 19, at 12:00 noon, the Holly Days Committee will be collecting non-perishable items to donate to the local food pantries. Please bring your donations to Veterans Memorial Park, located behind the Community Center, on November 19 and to the following locations around town through December 18: Westmont Public Library, Westmont Police and Fire Departments, Westmont Centre and the Westmont Community Center.
Santa’s Mailbox
Mail your letter to Santa using our very special North Pole mailbox located in the lobby of the Community Center. Address your letter to Santa & Mrs. Claus at 1 N. Candy Lane, The North Pole and the elves will make sure to get your letter to Santa. Be sure to drop your letter off by December 4 so Santa has plenty of time to reply during his busiest time of the year. Don’t forget to include your address so Santa can write back!
Phone Calls from Santa
Santa in very eager to speak to all good little boys and girls before the big day. Have you been good? If so, have Mom or Dad stop by the Community Center to fill out our very special form to send to Santa. He has set aside Thursday, December 7 to call all of the boys and girls. Calls will be made between 5:30 and 8:00PM. Santa must have all forms by Tuesday, December 5!
Business Decorating Contest
Bring out your holiday best and enter your business in our annual Decorating Contest! On Tuesday, December 12, the panel of judges will travel through town between 6:00 & 10:00PM to select the winners in each category. Entry forms are available at the Community Center and the Village Hall. Please feel free to nominate your favorite Westmont Business! Registration deadline is December 8.
Home Based Decorating Contest
The Village of Westmont residents are invited to enter the Holly Days Home Decorating Contest! Judging will be based on "curb appeal" as viewed from the street only and will take place on Monday, December 11. The panel of judges will travel through town between 6:00 & 10:00PM to select the winners in each category. Entry forms are available at the Community Center and the Village Hall. Please feel free to nominate your favorite Westmont Business! Registration deadline is December 8.
Arctic Animal Dough Ornaments
All Ages with Parent
Take part in Westmont Holly Days by decorating an arctic animal ornament made of salt dough. The ornaments will be displayed on the library’s tree in Veteran’s Memorial Park. No registration required. While supplies last.
Saturday November 18, 2:00-3:00PM - Free!
LOCATION: Westmont Library 428 N. Cass, Westmont
Winter Owl Talk
All Ages with Parent
Meet a live owl and learn the natural history of these birds of prey using "biofacts," such as wings, feet, skulls, and pictures. Presented by the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
No registration required
Saturday December 9, 1:30-2:15PM - Free!
LOCATION: Westmont Library 428 N. Cass, Westmont
What a Hoot: Pinecone Owls
All Ages with Parent
Create your own owl to take home using a pinecone and other crafting supplies provided by the library. No registration required
DAY DATE TIME
Sa turday December 9, 2:30-3:15PM - Free!
LOCATION: Westmont Library 428 N. Cass, Westmont
Christmas at Marshall Field’s
All Ages with Parent
For many Chicagoans, no Christmas season was complete without a visit to Marshall Field and Co. This illustrated lecture by historian Leslie Goddard will trace the store's holiday traditions, including the Walnut Room Christmas tree, the window displays, the toy department, Cozy Cloud cottage, and the Christmas catalog. Join us for this fun and fascinating look at one of Chicago's most beloved holiday traditions. Registration required.
Tuesday December 5 7:00-8:00PM - Free!
LOCATION: Westmont Library 428 N. Cass, Westmont
Winter Card Make & Take
All Ages with Parent
Use layering techniques, stamps, paper punches, and other fun embellishments to create fun and unique greeting cards perfect for the holiday season! Registration required.
Wednesday December 13, 7:00-8:30PM - Free!
LOCATION: Westmont Library 428 N. Cass, Westmont
Holly Days Winter Ball
All Ages
Join the community for a wonderful dinner, dancing, live entertainment and a silent auction at the Annual Westmont Holly Days Winter Ball. The event is open to everyone and all are encouraged to attend.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
6:30 pm Reception
7:30 pm Dinner
8:30 pm to 11:00 pm Silent Auction/Live Entertainment & Dancing
Visit www.westmontchamber.com to purchase your tickets and for sponsorship opportunities.
Holly Days is co-hosted by the Westmont Park District, the Historical Society, Westmont Chamber of Commerce, Westmont Public Library, the Westmont Special Events Corporation, and the Village of Westmont.
For more info, visit HollyDaysFestival.com or contact the Park District at 630-963-5252.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-981-6245, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
