More than 800 people attended the Supper with Santa and Craft Fair on Dec. 5 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center.
The event included a catered buffet pasta meal and dessert, plus crafts, vendors selling treats and handmade items.
Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott R. Nickles and son Nathan, 11, were among the participants at the fifth-annual event posing for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and Olive, a female reindeer.
Olive was handled by Santa’s elf Abby Stoffa of the Whispering Pines Reindeer Ranch and Tree Farm in Shabbona. Olive was making a return appearance at Supper with Santa, and has developed a fan following in Round Lake Beach.
“She’s super sweet,” Stoffa said. “She was bottle-fed as a baby so she’s actually a lot friendlier than a lot of our deer. She thinks she’s a dog, basically. She’s such a good girl.”
Nickles said, “How many kids have ever come up and … stood right beside a live reindeer and have their photo? That’s why we do it. It’s a beautiful event.”
Police Chief Wayne Wilde attended and circulated among the diners.
“I’ve been with Round Lake Beach for 27 years so I’ve seen it go through many, many changes,” he said. “Our mayor and board are really all about bringing the community together, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
Miss Lake County of Avon Township 2025 Chi Denig of Grayslake helped people make crafts at a table in front of the stage where Santa, Mrs. Claus, Olive and the elf posed for photos.
Of the holidays, she said, “I think it’s the best time of the year, and it’s important to share these moments together. Everybody likes the holidays, so it’s a fun time to bond.”
People were seen patiently queued on stairs to go on stage for photos including Ainsley Ruth, almost 2, of Round Lake Beach who pointed and showed excitement upon seeing the spectacle ahead as Ainsley waited her turn to see Santa and to receive a candy cane.
Ainsley took photos with her twin Ryker and their parents Peter and Robin Ruth. The Ruth family is a residential neighbor of Mayor Nickles.
“This is our first time here and honestly, this is wonderful,” said Robin Ruth of Round Lake Beach, who was in attendance with her family. “We love that they actually put this on, and we look forward to many more community activities.”
Santa Claus got to meet Camilo Perez, 1, of Round Lake and his parents Yasmine Figueroa and Chris Perez.
“This is so nice,” Camilo’s mother said. “I want him to grow up and go out and enjoy the moments … so he can have good memories.”
Emelhi Loredo of Wonder Lake and her children Quetzalhi Aguirre, 1, Jose Aguirre, 4, and Yaretzi Aguirre, 6, dined as a family.
“I hope they remember these holidays,” the children’s mother said. “It’s their childhood and then I just hope they have the best time of their life. Christmas is for them.”
