St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, sponsored by St. Charles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, will take place in downtown St. Charles on Friday and Saturday and include a variety of holiday-oriented activities, event organizers said.
The Lighting of the Lights Ceremony will kick-off Holiday Homecoming at 5 p.m. Friday at First Street Plaza. It will include holiday carols being sung by the St. Charles East and North High School choirs, and the switching on of the city’s holiday lights.
On Saturday, there will be a free showing of “The Grinch” at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles starting at 10 a.m. The doors will open at 9 a.m. for the event, organizers said.
Later that day at 5:30 p.m., the Electric Christmas Parade will begin at Sixth Street and travel down Main Street to conclude at Fourth Avenue. The annual tradition will feature over 70 lighted entries, holiday music and an appearance from Santa Claus, according to organizers.
This year’s grand marshal for the Electric Christmas Parade will be Jarrett Payton and family. Jarrett Payton is a sports anchor on WGN-TV, founder of The Jarett Payton Foundation, a former NFL and CFL running back and son of Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
A special viewing area for the parade will be designated by the front parking lot at the St. Charles Municipal Center for those with mobility limitations, officials said. This area can be identified by the blue reserved seating signage.
Also taking place on Saturday is the St. Charles Holiday Shop Crawl, during which 16 shops will be offering special sales and promotions in honor of the event.
Many other businesses around town will also be having promotions during St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, according to officials. For more information, go to www.stcholidayhomecoming.com/localspecials.
Individuals will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Santa Claus at Santa’s House in downtown St. Charles from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22.
“We are excited for everyone to come out to this year’s Holiday Homecoming to help kick-off the holiday season as a community,” said St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki in a press release about the activities. “It’s the perfect opportunity to not only experience all the holiday festivities that will be taking place, but to visit and support our amazing St. Charles businesses as well.”
For more information on St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, go to www.stcholidayhomecoming.com.
