At 5:23 p.m. Saturday night, Cathy Domanico, executive director of the La Grange Business Association (LGBA), stood on the steps of La Grange’s Village Hall and briefed the hundreds of people assembled.
“The big guy and his wife will be coming down La Grange Road very soon,” she said.
The “big guy and his wife,” of course, were Santa and Mrs. Claus, and they showed up right at the scheduled 5:30, delivered by fire truck by the La Grange Fire Department, officially kicking of the Village’s 2023 32nd Annual Holiday Walk.
“Thanks for all the letters you wrote to me from the Stone Avenue Train Station,” he told the kids waiting to talk to him.
At exactly 5:41 p.m., Village President Mark Kuchler counted down to the lighting of the Holiday Tree, donated by the McSwine family.
“This is the greatest community,” Kuchler said, “and this has to be the biggest turnout for this event yet.”
Indeed, in addition to the hundreds gathered at Harrison Avenue and La Grange Road for the tree lighting, an estimated 3,000 gathered throughout the night for the kickoff to the La Grange Hometown Holidays.
More Top Picks Irobot Roomba S9
Village staff was in attendance, including Deputy Village Manager Charity Jones.
“This is the 32nd year for the village, and it’s become a beloved event for families in the area,” she said.
LGBA President Stephanie Posey spoke alongside Santa, giving credit to not only the Village government, but also prominent sponsors like Dubak Electric Group.
She also reminded everyone that Hometown Holidays included supporting local businesses, specifically pointing out the Digital Holiday Wish Book, the online shopping special where 28 local businesses highlight online specials for holiday shoppers.
The schedule for the night was packed, as were the restaurants in the downtown area.
Lyons Township Madrigal Singers performed Christmas carols before Santa arrived; brilliant, oversized holiday lighting shone throughout the retail section; many merchants had open houses for the night; ice sculptures were prominent in front of businesses.
Free trolley rides took revelers around downtown; a Kiddie Train was open for rides, especially to the Petting Zoo on Calendar Avenue west of La Grange Road.
Scenes from “Frozen” were preformed at the La Grange road Train Station; letters to Santa were composed at the Stone Avenue Train Station.
Children could visit Santa at Village Hall, and tell him in person what they wanted for Christmas.
The festivities lasted from before Santa — with the Kiddie Train and Petting Zoo starting at 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The Leadershop, a La Grange nonprofit begun in the late 1970s that focuses on fostering community-related spirit in youth, organized the letters to Santa at the Stone Avenue Station, with middle school students assisting the younger letter writers.
“We’re helping people who are writing their letters,” Paul Kerchberger, program director at the Leadershop, said.
Bridget Manning was at the Stone Avenue Station, where her daughter Deirdre wrote her letter to Santa.
Deirdre wanted a “Belle” doll from “Beauty and the Beast.”
“We were already downtown and went to a concert at the church,” Bridget said. “We’re looking forward to seeing ‘Frozen’ at the downtown station.”
Kristina Joseph, of Kristina Joseph Photography, attended with her sister Nina and niece Vivian, and spoke of the event as one might expect from a photographer.
“Capture every single moment of the holidays,” she said.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.