Santa Claus and Hannukah Harry came to town.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering was also among the familiar faces welcoming families to the Holiday Lighting event at Port Clinton Square downtown on Saturday, which featured a holiday tree and menorah.
But maybe the real stars of the show were the children who helped the mayor countdown to the flip of the switch, resulting in colorful lights adorning trees in the square off of Central Avenue.
Still, the children flocked to see celebrities Santa Claus and Hannukah Harry as doting parents snapped photos. Free candy canes added holiday sweetness, and The Frozen Robins carolers offered up holiday music.
Santa Claus said his holiday wish is for, “Peace on Earth. Everybody to just be kind.”
Hanukkah Harry added, “I hope that all humankind can understand that kindness is stronger than any other thing in life. So, if you can all just learn to be kind, and do the right thing for each other. And that way, we will always have peace. Kindness is about peace, not conflict.”
Rotering said her hopes for the season are for, “The joy of the community, the joy of holidays, the joy of family. Everybody coming together, sharing their love for one another and enjoying our time together.”
The program included songs by performers from the Highland Park Players, with theatrical music of the next season, courtesy of the talents of Elijah Warfield of Andersonville and Sarah Tilford of Hoffman Estates.
“Theater is absolutely vital to community,” Tilford said. “It promotes a sense of togetherness. I think it’s important to share stories. It brings people together.”
“Community is so important nowadays,” Warfield said. “I think it’s these small traditions that really keep communities alive, and I think one of the best ways to do it is through music and theater, just the arts in general. The community is really the biggest thing about it.”
Brad and Lauren Joseph of Highland Park attended with their children Corey, 5, and Taylor, 2.
Lauren Joseph hoped the children would, “just have fun and get in the spirit.” Her husband said he hopes for “health and happiness” during the holidays.
Josie Obiala, 4, of Deerfield, attended with her mother Cara and grandmother Cathy Fries of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Josie asked Santa Claus to bring at Christmas a Gabby’s Dollhouse with a birthday theme, based on the popular Netflix “Gabby’s Dollhouse” show.
Fries hopes Josie has, “a happy and healthy life.”
Chip and Ashbey Beasley of Highland Park, looked on as their son Beau, 8, visited with Santa. Beau’s mother snapped a photo of the milestone moment. Beau would like a Legend of Zelda-themed Nintendo gaming Switch.
Chip Beasley said he hopes that, “people get along. Be nice to each other.”
Ashbey Beasley said, “I think right now it’s more important than ever for us to gather together as a community. I think that we have been forgetting that we’re neighbors.”
