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player ready...Hinsdale, Oak Brook and other towns in the area have adapted some of their usual holiday activities to comply with coronavirus safety protocol.
In Hinsdale on Saturday and Sunday morning, Santa and Mrs. Claus stood outside their cottage in Burlington Park to greet visitors. Usually, families waited in line outside the cottage for their children’s turn to enter the cottage, sit on Santa’s lap for a photo and tell him what they are hoping he will bring them for Christmas.
But a small picket fence marked off a 6-foot distance where the children could stand and talk to the friendly Clauses.
Emma Kirchoff, 8, said she understood why they had to wear masks and not get closer to Santa.
“To stay safe and not get sick,” Emma said.
Like her siblings, 11-year-old Maddie and Owen, 7, Emma said she had asked Santa to bring her a sled.
Owen told Santa he wanted a specific sled, one with a steering wheel, and also a claw machine, like the one in stores and arcades that picks up a prize.
The Kirchoffs said it was a little difficult for Santa to hear what they were saying through their masks.
Heather Bereckis, superintendent of Hinsdale’s parks and recreation department, said about 35 families had visited Santa Sunday morning and another 10 were turned away because there was not time available.
Santa will take photos and talk to children, from a safe distance, in Spring Rock Park in Western Springs Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19. The cost is $20 per family and advance registration is required with the Western Springs Park District. Call Barb Kartzmark at (708) 295-7008 for more information.
Central Park in Oak Brook Park District will glow with holiday lights from December through February.
People are invited to walk a half-mile route through rainbow arches and past cascading snowflakes and dancing trees in the park, at 1500 Forest Gate Road. The lighted display is free, but tickets are required and must be reserved online for 15-minute intervals between 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Masks must be worn and groups should be no larger than six people. The paved path is accessible to people with disabilities or in wheelchairs.
Donations to the Greater Oak Brook chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Relief Fund will be accepted to support hospitality and retail workers impacted by COVID-19.
The Oak Brook Park District is offering another fun event, called reindeer egg droppings. On Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 18, reindeer and elves will scatter two dozen eggs filled with candy and toys in the front yard of residents, who register online. The cost is $16 for a delivery of 24 eggs. For more information, look at the park district website, obparks.org.
The La Grange Park District had planned to hold its annual breakfast with Santa indoors with reduced seating, but when Gov. Pritzker shut down all indoor dining and recreation centers due to rising coronavirus infection rates in November, the park staff held Donuts with Santa on Sunday as a drive-through event. Besides doughnuts, hot chocolate from Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream was served to people who remained in their cars and children received a craft to make at home.
Residents will not enjoy the anticipation of huddling in the cold around a dark tree, and counting down for someone to turn the switch and light the Christmas tree this year. Towns are holding the lightings with only a handful of people in person and posting a video of the scene on Facebook and their websites.
A dozen decorated trees remain on display in Memorial Park in La Grange Park, where the official Christmas tree was lighted Friday.
The tree lighting in Waiola Park in La Grange will be a virtual event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, broadcast on the park district’s Facebook page
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. Santa will lead the countdown.
Western Springs is holding a decorated Christmas tree contest. Residents who are proud of how they decorated their indoor tree or had a great theme for the tree, should take a photo and email it, with their name and phone number, to [email protected] by Dec. 20. Prizes will be awarded for “Most Beautiful Tree” and “Best Themed Tree.” The winners will be notified Dec. 21-23.
The Clarendon Hills Park District converted a Fourth of July float into a float for Santa Claus to ride through town Friday. Families were encouraged to gather in their front yards, driveways and on their porches, where they could see jolly St. Nick from a safe social distance.
