'Holiday Lights' to Sparkle in Downtown Homewood Dec. 2

HOMEWOOD, Ill - Holiday Lights in Homewood celebrates the season with a family-friendly evening of festivity on Friday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The evening features a tree lighting ceremony, outdoor marketplace, ice sculpture carvings, live reindeer petting zoo, antique car parade, the arrival of Santa and his friends on the Homewood fire truck and more. Free musical trolleys shuttle shoppers through downtown to each store and activity. Dr. Kirschner’s brass band performs songs of the season all evening long. The Homewood Science Center explores circuits and snowflakes with a hands-on activity that can be added to the illuminated community art installation.

“This sets the right tone for the holiday season and give our community another opportunity to come together before the snowflakes fly” said Rich Hofeld, Village President. “This is the perfect event to get into the holiday spirit and get a jump on the holiday shopping.”

The festivities begin when the Martin Ave. Outdoor Market opens at 5 p.m. featuring unique craft vendors, a live reindeer petting zoo and an ice sculpting demonstration by Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures – Chicago’s premier ice carving company (demonstrations begin at 7:15 p.m.). The antique car parade precedes the tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at Irwin Park, 1900 Ridge Rd. Santa and his friends arrive on a fire engine to flip the switch for the grand tree lighting. In addition, The Cancer Support Center is selling premium-grade Fraser Firs and garland from Michigan with easy pick-up and loading assistance. Pre-sales are available at www.cancersupportcenter.org.

The Homewood Science Center presents a deSTEMber activity from 6 to 9 p.m at 18022 Dixie Hwy. Participants of all ages can explore the principles of light with hands-on activities created by Schneider Electric along with SouthWorks Makers Lab. In addition, visitors can create a snowflake for an illuminated community art installation.

The shopping season kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 18 when the Homewood Business Association (HBA) launches “Unwrap Downtown Homewood”. Stores throughout the downtown and outlying areas open early and offer special discounts for shoppers. In addition, shoppers who spend $300 or more in 3 different HBA stores are entered to win prizes and gift certificates. On Dec. 2, free musical trolleys will take shoppers all around downtown Homewood to take advantage of stores participating in the “Unwrap Downtown Homewood” offer special Holiday Lights discounts as well as refreshments.

Holiday Lights in Homewood is free and open to the public. Homewood is steps from the Metra Electric line and there is free and ample parking as well. For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com.

Photos Courtesy of Village of Homewood