Families looking to get into the holiday spirit might want to head to Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm in Lockport.
Cottonwood Christmas on Nov. 30 features activities, food and fun for all ages.
“It’s the day after Black Friday. We want to be the first event to kick off the Christmas season for families,” said Kaity Siegel-Grimmenga, general manager of Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm.
“We’re hoping to get families to enjoy a nice day together for a few hours. They can enjoy some time relaxing and shopping and let the kids let off some energy while Mom and Dad get to sit back. They also get to have their picture with Santa Claus.”
Cottonwood Christmas made its debut in 2018 and looks to become another Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm annual event such as Pumpkin Fest and Junkin’ Market at Cottonwood.
Last year’s activities are back, with some additional vendors, Siegel-Grimmenga said.
“It is just something extra that people can enjoy while there and maybe do some Christmas shopping. Some will be sampling different types of drinks like eggnog and stuff like that. Some are homemade items that people are bringing so it’s a little bit of everything.”
Holiday Market vendors are available at 11 a.m. Admission is free for adults.
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Gates for Cottonwood Christmas open at noon. A ticket, which includes a meal, is required for activities including train rides (weather-permitting) and the Giant Mountain Slide.
A sleigh ride will transport visitors to Santa for a meet-and-greet and photo session. In addition, they can pet and feed farm animals, take a ride on the Wizzer and have fun with the Candy Cannon, she said.
“We’ll have both alcohol and nonalcoholic beverages for people to enjoy along with our famous apple cider donuts, kettle corn, mac and cheese and pulled pork sandwiches along with coffee and cocoa and juice for the kids to enjoy,” she added.
Cottonwood Christmas is not the only holiday event being offered by Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, which began in 1909 with Siegel-Grimmenga’s great-grandparents Frank and Gertrude Siegel.
“We also will be having our fresh-cut Christmas trees so (visitors) can pick out their fresh-cut tree or they can come beforehand,” Siegel-Grimmenga said.
Freshly cut Frasier firs are available 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily Nov. 29-Dec. 23 off Weber Road in Crest Hill across from Menards. Customers who bring in a toy for a child in need will receive $5 off their purchase.
Also, Kaity’s Country Store in an 1870-style barn will offer treats including homemade pies, fudge, chocolates and donuts.
“Our main focus a lot of the time is to get people away from hibernating inside and the kids playing video games and watching TV all day,” said Siegel-Grimmenga, the fourth generation of her family involved in Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, which is helmed by her parents, Paul and Sue Siegel, of Lockport.
“We want to get them out on the farm in the fresh air and to see what a family farm is about and enjoy time as a family. We try to figure out different things people can do as a whole family.”
Cottonwood Christmas
When: noon-3 p.m. Nov. 30
Where: Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, 17250 Weber Road, Lockport
Tickets: start at $15; free ages 2 and younger; limited availability
Information: 815-741-2693; www.cottonwoodfarms.net
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer for the Daily Southtown.