Mayor Hagerty To Light Live Tree In Fountain Square Ceremony

EVANSTON, IL — The city is kicking the holiday season into gear this weekend with the annual Evanston Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring music and live performances and free family-friendly festivities.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday with a performance by the Evanston Children's Choir. Fifteen minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and Mayor Steve Hagerty will arrive. Hagerty is scheduled to light the live tree planted at the south end of Fountain Square plaza at 5:30 p.m.

That's due to be followed by live performances from the student group Northwestern Purple Haze at 5:35 p.m., Chicago Tap Theatre at 5:50 p.m. and The Actors Gymnasium at 6:05 p.m.

At 6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Clause will head to the ballroom and lounge The Merion, 529 Davis St., for photo opportunities.

On Wednesday, Hagerty announced the winner of a competition to design his annual holiday card.

Hagerty issue a call for young artists in October to submit their designs.

Four students from local schools were selected as finalists: Omkaara Kamath of Willard Elementary School, Lucas Linder of Nichols Middle School, Olivia Ohlson of Haven Middle School and Lenora Schnitger of Roycemore School.

All four holiday card designs can be purchased from the city for about $3 each, with all proceeds going to the Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive. Ohlson's design was picked for the mayor's holiday card.

"While all four of the artists' designs were creative and fun, Olivia’s card stood out because of its message of peace and its Evanston imagery and winter wonderland feel," said Mayor Hagerty.

Ohlson, 12, a Haven seventh grader, loves the arts — especially drawing and photography — and plays basketball, soccer, volleyball and softball, according to a release. She is also an avid volunteer, having raised raised over $7,000 for breast cancer research and patient care. She hopes to one day become a biomedical engineer and physician.

Donations are being accepted the 11th annual mayor's holiday donation drive through Friday, Dec. 13. The city is collecting new, unwrapped toys, staple food items and new and gently used books at location throughout the city. For the first time, local Evanston businesses are offering 20 percent discounts on items purchased at their stores to be donated to the drive.

Read more: Mayor's Holiday Food, Book And Toy Drive In Evanston