Despite temperatures in the teens, Santa showed up at City Hall in Park Ridge the day after Thanksgiving just in time for “Winterfest.”
Santa came in with a flourish, in on a firetruck blazing with lights and sirens, Mrs. Claus in tow,
and as they walked through the crowd, up the steps to City Hall, parents held aloft cell
phones for videos and photos.
A mother told her child, “There he is, with his red suit.”
The jolly pair, surrounded by city leaders, watched as the town’s Christmas tree lit up for the first
time this year. The crowd of hundreds of local families that packed the City Hall lawn and
Hodges Park across the street, cheered.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out to the event tonight,” said Santa, standing atop the City
Hall steps. “Unfortunately, this is North Pole weather and you’re not used to it, but we
are.”
Still, the Santa and Mrs. Claus seemed to sympathize with the huddled masses and quickly retired
inside, followed by a long line of babies and small children, bundled in blankets, scarves and
hats. The tradition is an annual event for some.
One local mom, Kelly Wagner, said she’s hopeful her toddler enjoys himself this year.
“Last year he cried,” she explained. “We’ll see what he does this year.”
The evening included more than a visit with Santa. Kids could also take a ride on a trolly
around town and see homes lit up with Christmas lights and luminaries. But Wagner said Santa was, for this year, the big event for her little one.
Some visitors strolled in without kids. Duka Dobovic was out on a
date night. Sans kids, the couple walked through Hodges Park, hoping to catch the Christmas
spirit on their first visit to a Park Ridge Winterfest.
Dobovic said he had hoped to see the tree lighting ceremony but missed it.
“Well, 12 months from now we’ll come back,” he laughed.
Even still, there’s more to Winterfest than Santa, Christmas trees and trolly rides.
For the adults — and maybe especially the parents — the celebration also serves as a kick off to the shopping season. Black Friday is, historically, the first day of Christmas shopping, and a day for deep discounts.
Leaders say the money spent locally makes a huge difference in smaller towns like Park Ridge, where small businesses remain economic engines of the community.
Mayor Marty Maloney reminded the crowd that the economic engine would be running full throttle up until Christmas and he urged local Santas to get their Christmas shopping done closer home.
“Every day, from now until Christmas, keep your dollars local,” Maloney said. “Shop local and
patronize your local businesses. They invest in this community.”
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.
