Westmont, Illinois
Date Issued: November 8, 2018
The Westmont Holly Days Festival Committee is expecting its biggest turnout ever this year. “Our volunteers have been working hard on this festival throughout the year,” said Bob Fleck, Westmont Park District Executive Director. “We’re expecting another great event and want to invite the entire community to come out for the Frosty & Friends Parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Free Pictures With Santa, and the Ugly Sweater 5K, all of which is scheduled for November 24. The week before, we have our annual Holly Days Craft Bazaar, Holly Days Brunch, and tree decorating event on Sunday, Nov. 18.” Holly Days has activities planned from Nov. 18 through the end of December. Complete details can be found on the website at HollyDaysFestival.com. Following is this year’s Holly Days schedule:
HOME & BUSINESS DECORATING CONTEST
Deadline - Friday, December 7
Nominate your home, business, or a neighbor in the Holly Days Decorating Contest! Sign up online at westmontevents.com. Registration deadline is Friday, December 7. On December 10 & 11, judges will travel through town from 6 to 10 p.m. to select the winners in each category. Winners will be announced at a Village Board meeting.
WOODEN SNOW ORNAMENTS
Saturday, November 17, 2:00-3:00 p.m. - Free!
Westmont Library - 428 N. Cass, Westmont
Take part in Westmont Holly Days by turning a wooden ornament into a seasonal snowman; make one for the library and make one to take home! The ornaments will be displayed on the library’s tree in Veteran’s Memorial Park. While supplies last. All Ages with Parent.
HOLLY DAYS BRUNCH & CRAFT BAZAAR
Sunday, November 18
Brunch - 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; Craft Bazaar - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Westmont Park District - 55 & 75 E. Richmond
All you can eat pancakes, scrambled eggs or scramblers, sausage, juice, milk, and coffee. Adults - $8.00, Children 6 to 12 - $5.00, 5 & under - free, Seniors 60 & up - $5.00. Hosted by the Westmont Lions Club. Then visit the Park District Community Center for the annual craft bazaar.
ROTARY CLUB HOLLY DAYS UGLY SWEATER 5K
Saturday, November 24, 9:00 a.m.
$30 adult, $20 child (15 years and younger)
Westmont Rotary has donated over $60,000 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 24. The race begins at 9:00 a.m. on Burlington Avenue in downtown Westmont. Participants may pre-register for this event online at westmontrotaryclub.org. Pre-registration will be accepted until Friday, November 16. Race day registration fees are $10 more than those listed below. Race day registration takes place from 8:00-8:45 a.m. at 25 N. 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.
HOLLY DAYS PARADE & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Saturday, November 24, 4-7 p.m.
Westmont Centre - 1 S. Cass Avenue
Come for our annual Holly Days kick-off including the Frosty & Friends Parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Free Pictures with Santa. Following is the schedule:
4:00 p.m. - Westmont High School Madrigals at Westmont Centre
4:30 p.m. - Westview Hills Middle School Band at Westmont Centre
5:00 p.m. - Frosty & Friends Parade on Cass Avenue
5:45 p.m. (after Parade) - Tree Lighting Ceremony near Westmont Centre Plaza
6:00 p.m. (after Tree Lighting) - Free Pictures with Santa at Westmont Centre
6:00 p.m. (after Tree Lighting) - Holy Trinity Hand Chimes Ensemble at Westmont Centre
HOLLY DAYS GIVING TREE
Deadline - December 12
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 Tuesday, November 6. Gifts should be returned to the Community Center no later than Wednesday, December 12.
HOLLY DAYS FOOD DRIVE
Beginning Sunday, November 18, 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, at 12 noon on Sunday, November 18. Various locations will accept donations during business hours through Tuesday, December 18 including Westmont Public Library, Westmont Police and Fire Departments, Westmont Centre and the Westmont Park District Community Center.
CHRISTMAS ON THE FRONTIER
Saturday, November 24
3:00-7:00 p.m. & Dec. 1, 8, 15, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Gregg House Museum, 115 N. Linden Avenue
Stop by the Gregg House and discover the simple traditions of ornaments made from lace, buttons, strings of apples, cherished homemade cloth gifts, molasses cookies and the story of St. Nicholas all celebrated on Christmas Eve. Learn about the early days of Illinois as we commemorate the Bicentennial.
HOLLY DAYS WINTER BALL
Friday, November 30
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. Visit westmontchamber.com to purchase your tickets and for sponsorship opportunities.
SANTA’S MAILBOX
Deadline - Tuesday, December 4
Mail your letter to Santa using our very special North Pole mailbox located in the lobby of the Park District Community Center at 75 E. Richmond. 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 Tuesday, 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
Deadline - Tuesday, December 4
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 at 75 E Richmond St. to fill out our very special form to send to Santa. He has set aside Thursday, December 6 to call all of the boys and girls. Calls will be made between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.. Santa must have all forms by Tuesday, December 4!
LUNCH WITH SANTA
Saturday, December 8
Westmont Park District - 55 E. Richmond
Even Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph need a break during his busiest time of the year! Enjoy your pizza lunch on Saturday, December 8 and show afterwards performed by Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be plenty of audience participation, so be ready to sing along! Kids can share their holiday wish with Santa after lunch. Registration is required.
HOT CHOCOLATE AND COOKIE BAR
Saturday, December 8, 5:30-6:00 p.m. - Free!
Westmont Library - 428 N. Cass
Warm up with a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate, personalized by you, before settling in to listen to fun winter stories. We’ll provide a variety of ingredients and toppings to give your cocoa an extra dash of tasty fun! Please arrive by 5:45 p.m. to ensure entrance to the program. This event is free. All Ages with Parent.
WHEN THE LIGHTS CHANGE: SOLSTICE STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Saturday, December 8, 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Free!
Westmont Library - 428 N. Cass
Escape the cold with an evening of magical winter solstice stories, as told by storyteller Megan Wells. This is a free event at the Westmont Public Library.
SNOW-MUCH FUN NIGHT
Saturday, December 15, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park, 75 E. Richmond
Enjoy some holiday cheer at our Snow Much Fun event! Be sure to bundle up because this is an outdoor and indoor event full of games, crafts, Santa’s Workshop, hot cocoa, s’mores, a holiday scavenger hunt, and much more! You’ll even be able to take a ride on a mule-drawn carriage and enjoy the neighborhood with family and friends. Delight in a most enchanting winter experience. Most activities are free.
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/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
