Registration underway for South Elgin Christmas events
Registrations are being accepted for two traditional Christmas season events in South Elgin.
The village’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a lunch with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Village Squire, 480 Randall Road, according to a news release.
Kids’ meals will feature a cheeseburger or chicken fingers. Adults can choose from a cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. All meals include fries and a beverage. Every child will get time with Santa, and the lunch will feature crafts, coloring and reindeer food. Guests can take their own photos.
The cost is $17 per child and $23 per adult for village residents and $25 per child and $29 per adult for nonresidents. To register, go to www.southelgin.com/registration, Section #33601.
A holiday lights tour for adults 18 and older will be held from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.
Participants will meet at the South Elgin Public Works Building, 1000 Bowes Road, to be transported to see village houses decorated for the holidays. Hot cocoa will be served.
Cost is $25 for residents, $30 for nonresidents. Register at www.southelgin.com/registration, Section # 33024.
Ribbon-cutting set for Sperry Park renovations in South Elgin
A ribbon-cutting event will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, to celebrate the completion of renovations at South Elgin’s Sperry Park, 800 Michigan Ave.
Among the amenities are a new playground, a ninja-style obstacle course, pickleball courts, a new pavilion, landscaping and parking lot upgrades, according to an online news release.
The $1.6 million project was partially funded by a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant from the state and a $274,000 Community Development Block Grant from the federal government, according to the release.
Platt Hill Nursery named IRMA’s 2024 Retailer of the Year
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association named Platt Hill Nursery its 2024 Illinois Retailer of the Year at the group’s 67th annual meeting Oct. 3 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
Platt Hill was established in 1980, and the family-owned plant and landscaping business has locations in Carpentersville and Bloomingdale, according to a news release.
For more than 20 years, the nursery has partnered with local high school special needs programs to provide a hands-on course for students. It also provides guest lectures, donations and internship opportunities to College of DuPage and McHenry County College and donates plants to municipalities and Eagle Scout projects, the release said.
Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said in a statement that Platt Hill Nursery’s commitment to business excellence and community involvement embodies the core values of Illinois retailers.
Registration deadline Oct. 18 for first El Trote de las Calacas
The inaugural El Trote de las Calacas, or “Skeleton Trot,” is a family-friendly 5K race being held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, as part of Gail Borden Public Library’s Day of the Dead Festival.
Runners and walkers need to sign up by Oct. 18 to participate in the USTF-certified 5K event, which starts and ends at the 270 N. Grove. Ave. library in Elgin and take participants through the city’s historic northeast neighborhood and along the Fox River, a news release said.
The fest that follows will feature face painting, costumes, music, artistically decorated Olmec heads, huge Catrina puppets, a community ofrenda, Mexican treats and more.
Proceeds from the race, which costs $55 for adults and youth and $20 for ages 6 to 11, go to the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation.
For more information or to register, go to runsignup.com/Race/IL/Elgin/ElTroteDeLasCalacas.
