On Friday, Santa — and Mrs. Claus — dropped by the Burr Ridge Village Center for Deck the Green.
Hundreds turned out for the event, despite temperatures in the low 20s, to see Santa, a juggling act, Buddy the Elf, a wooden soldier and other characters, in addition to the usual restaurants and shops — and at least one pop-up store — at the Village Center. The scene packed the parking lots and drew guests from next door to several towns away.
Frank and Chris Zarecki came from Hickory Hills with their daughter. They — and more than a few parents and children — got some respite from the cold in the letters to Santa tent with Mrs. Claus and a group of carolers. The Zareckis said they’re no stranger to Burr Ridge events, and Friday was a win.
“We’ve had a great time,” Frank said. “We enjoyed the hot chocolate, the carolers, the train and Santa.
“We use this mall for shopping and we love all their events,” said Chris.
The event even drew folks without children in tow.
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“I try coming every year,” said Melania Blando, a woman who lives in the neighborhood. She brought her small dog — in a Christmas sweater with Christmas lights — and a stroller with two tabby cats, Ringo Starr and Elvis Presley, inside (they were bundled in towels and asleep). “I like that it’s so close to my house and that it’s pet friendly.”
The event also offered residents a chance to support local organizations. The nonprofit of the night, the Hinsdale Humane Society, helped run the letters to Santa tent, a local Cub Scout troop set up a tent on the green and a handful of other local vendors sold popcorn balls and other treats.
Not that too many visitors spent that long outside. After seeing Santa and getting a photo under the Christmas tree and a quick lap around the vendor tents on the green, visitors seemed ready to get warmed up inside somewhere, drawing a good crowd into nearby restaurants and retail stores — most of which seemed to do good business.
Besides the usual, permanent stores, the season also marks the return of Victoria Anna, a seasonal Christmas store pop-up store in the center. The store offers mostly Christmas decorations in addition to chocolates, signs and assorted seasonal décor.
Anna Bobak, one of the owners, explained the store opened its doors a couple of weeks ago and she enjoyed visitors stopping by Friday evening.
“People are coming in they’re cold but they’re definitely looking and shopping,” Bobak said.
The store closes on Dec. 24 and, Bobak said, the specialty is the blown glass ornaments.
“We’re know for our ornaments,” she said. “They’re handblown and painted in Poland, though they’re designed here, in Burr Ridge.”
If anyone missed Santa on Friday, he will return to Burr Ridge Dec. 17 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Santa Spectacular at the Village Center.
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
