Santa was busy in Libertyville Saturday as village officials and organizations hosted holiday events to ring in the season – and invited St. Nick to help.
The town hosted its second “Santa Parade” Saturday, with Santa making his way through the neighborhoods in his North Pole home, which was pulled and guided by the Libertyville Fire Department. Santa, along with fire officials, rode through town for several hours, starting in the southeast part of town and ending north near Winchester Road and Milwaukee Avenue.
Mayor Donna Johnson said the parade shows how the village values the innocence of children, as well as the ability to stay resilient and look up during more difficult times, particularly as it relates to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re enduring a lot … (these) are challenging times,” Johnson said. “So, it’s nice to introduce something positive and heartfelt into … times where people have high anxiety and they’re not the kindest.”
Johnson said the event was put on with the help of the village’s Public Works and Fire departments. She said fire Chief Rich Carani and others on his team built the display and seat for Santa to sit in during the parade.
Those who helped “really added that holiday spirit,” Johnson said.
Last year was the first time the village hosted the parade, which came about in response to social distancing and other public health mitigation protocols due to the coronavirus pandemic. In an attempt last year to engage with the community during the holidays, the parade was held over the course of four days across two weekends, with Santa visiting one village quadrant every day.
“This year we just kind of did a route that went all through the village and tried to hit everywhere from within two to three blocks,” Village Administrator Kelly Amidei said. “And that seemed to work pretty well.”
Before the parade, Mainstreet Libertyville hosted its annual “Dickens of a Holiday” and invited Santa and Mrs. Claus to Cook Park. There, visitors were able to take photo with the jolly couple. Jennifer Johnson, Mainstreet Libertyville executive director, said this was the first time in two years the event had been put on, as the one last year was canceled due to the pandemic.
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“We were absolutely thrilled to be able to offer these events this year,” Jennifer Johnson said.
The Children’s Holiday Shoppe also made its return Saturday during Mainstreet’s event. The event, which took place at Petranek’s Pharmacy, offered children a chance to shop by themselves for holiday gifts for loved ones – with assistance from Santa’s elves.
As part of the event, Mainstreet also hosted its “Victorian Tea” at the Libertyville Civic Center, which Johnson said was “fabulous.” The event is a full traditional tea similar to that from the 19th Century Victorian era.
The tea was served by hostesses in authentic Victorian costume, officials said, and included pastries, scones and finger sandwiches. The service was provided by Long Grove-based High Tea with Gerri, Johnson said.
Dickens of a Holiday will take place again Dec. 11, but the second time around will not include the Victorian Tea, Johnson said.
“It’s absolutely gratifying to be able to provide this service for our community,” Johnson said. “Everyone was happy.”
