The second year of the annual Northfield Holiday Fest took place on a clear Wednesday, Nov. 30 evening with 24 degree outdoor temperatures at Clarkson Park on Willow Road.
This year featured more offerings at the free memory making community occasion, said Nada Becker of Northfield, communications and marketing manager for the Northfield Park District.
“After a major park renovation last year, the Park District was able to expand and enhance our special events,” Becker said. “The renovation project received significant community donations through the Northfield Parks Foundation, a group dedicated to the continued support of Park District endeavors.
“Holiday Fest is all about bringing the community together to kick off the holidays,” Becker said.
“Not only do families, friends and neighbors gather to enjoy the holiday season but local businesses and organizations get involved and support the event,” Becker said.
Musical entertainment was provided by the Avoca West Elementary Choir and by third-graders from Northfield’s Middlefork School.
“I’m super proud of how hard everybody worked and how proud they are of each other and of themselves,” said Shawna Rosen, Middlefork School music teacher.
Of the newer bandshell, “This stage is wonderful, it’s a colorful way to usher in the holiday season.”
The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library offered activities. Indoors, children could make a snow globe with The Northfield Community Nursery School. Stormy’s Tavern and Grille provided food and beverages.
“We’re especially thankful for the Village of Northfield’s participation and support of this event,” Becker said, adding, “Special thanks to event sponsors Northview Bank & Trust, Hofherr Meat Co., SavATree/Nels Johnson Tree Experts and Stormy’s Tavern and Grille.”
The event featured a park holiday lighting flip of the switch with Santa Claus. Santa arrived on the back of a fire truck for the community lighting countdown, joining Park District and Village of Northfield officials.
Northfield Village President Greg Lungmus, of the New Trier West High School Class of 1978, pointed out that the permanent bandshell in Clarkson Park has become a much-loved community gathering place.
“This is the bandshell we built two years ago and it’s now become the center of activity,” Lungmus said.
Lungmus added about Northfield, “This is a great community, 5,700 people, it’s a very close knit community. It’s a community I grew up in, I’ve been associated with this town since 1962.”
To all, “Happy Holidays and peace and good will, happy health in the New Year,” Lungmus said.
“Coming out of COVID, these are unique times and just try to be kind to one another,” Lungmus added.
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Donald Klein, president of the Park Board of Commissioners for the Northfield Park District said about Clarkson Park, “We’re so proud of this park.
“It is definitely a jewel here in Northfield and on the North Shore and we just want to continue to have families utilize it for the holiday season, during the summer and as much year-round as we can,” Klein said.
Jeff Tideman of Northfield attended with family including grandchildren from Northfield, Ella, 2, Hannah, almost 5 months, and Lena, 4, and the children’s mother Samantha Tideman.
For 2022 and the COVID-19 pandemic, “Honestly, I’m hoping that we’ll get to see all of our families this holiday season and be healthy enough to do that,” Samantha Tideman said.
Of the fest itself and the Clarkson Park setting, “It’s just so magical,” Tideman added, of, “being in this park with the whole community.”
Stephanie Wilkins of Northbrook watched daughter Emmy, 8, a third-grader visit with Santa Claus.
Emmy said, “I want a 3D printer,” from Santa.
Emmy’s mother said they were there, “making memories and seeing Santa again.”
Chloe Yue, 9, a third-grader from Northfield attended with sibling Liliane, 4, and their parents Michael and Wendy Yue.
“It’s so fun,” Michael Yue said.
Ben Chan, 6, a kindergartner from Northfield, was held on the shoulders of his father Andrew Chan while watching Ben’s sibling Naomi, 8, a third-grader, perform with the Middlefork School third grade singers. The children’s mother Julie Chan was also in the audience.
To the Northfield event organizers, “This is fun and it’s great to be at the bandshell,” Andrew Chan said.
Hillary Bufalino of Northfield attended with daughter Jane Bufalino, a Middlefork School kindergartner and Julianne, a third-grader also at Middlefork.
The girls’ mother hoped for, “just a safe, happy holiday.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.