Organizers estimate that a crowd of several thousand turned out to Deer Park Town Center earlier this month to pay tribute to veterans in honor of Veterans Day and welcome the yuletide season as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in town — atop a Lake Zurich fire truck.
On a balmy Saturday in November, families took photos with Santa and gathered to see a holiday tree illuminated. The village of Deer Park sponsored the event, which also included entertainment, jugglers and Santa’s grand arrival.
“We kick off the season with our community-favorite fireworks event to welcome Santa, with several other fun events and activities to surprise and delight our customers throughout the season,” said Angelika Fejklowicz, marketing manager at Deer Park Town Center.
There were free photos with Santa Claus on a first come, first serve basis and the 6:30 p.m. fireworks display honoring veterans on what was also Veterans Day. Red, white and blue fireworks were numerous during the grand finale.
Camila Alvarado, 7, waited for Santa with her mother, Cynthia Alvarado.
“I just feel like right now it just brings a lot of happiness, a lot of joy,” said Cynthia Alvarado. “I feel that it makes any parent happy.”
Kyle and Kelsey Daker of Barrington brought their children Brooks, 3, and Luke, 1, and considered the Deer Park event as the official kickoff to their family’s holiday season.
“We dug out the holiday decorations today,” Kelsey Daker said with a smile and laugh.
Kyle Daker thanked veterans for their service.
“We’re lucky to live in a country like this,” Kyle Daker said.
Lucy Hadzima, 7, won a shopping center contest to flick an oversized switch and light the holiday tree. She wrote a winner of a letter to Santa Claus and got to ride in the fire engine with Santa Claus too.
“This was the most exciting,” said Lucy’s mother Misty Hadzima, “when she won, I went crazy. She wrote a letter to Santa, which we were going to do anyway, and she turned it in and was entered into a contest and won.”
Lucy asked Santa Claus for a realistic baby doll, a realistic dog that can move, and a gymnastics bar (horizontal bar to practice dance and exercise on).
“Lucy’s papa is a veteran and we are so thankful for all of our veterans and so glad that they get the recognition they deserve,” Misty Hadzima said.
Allie Zaragoza , of Buffalo Grove, took sons Leo, 5, and Gio, 2, on what was an evening to see Santa but also to honor veterans.
“It is a wonderful combination and I think what better way to celebrate them (veterans) than to kick it off with the holidays,” Zaragoza said.
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Maria Juarez, of Carpentersville, attended with her family, including daughter Jocelyn Juarez, 9. The mother explained that her 24-year-old son is a veteran who served in the Marine Corps..
“Thank you for your service,” Maria Juarez said in a shout out to veterans, including her son. “We’re proud of you.”