Montgomery Tree Lighting Features Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elf Workshop

MONTGOMERY, IL — Montgomery’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 at Village Hall, 200 N. River St. The free family event is hosted jointly by the Village of Montgomery and the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce (GMACC).

The event will kick off with festive music performances from students from local schools, followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in fire trucks with sirens blaring. After the lighting of the Christmas tree, children can visit Santa and take holiday pictures with him, and families are invited to enjoy holiday snacks provided throughout the evening by the GMACC (while supplies last).

New this year will be an elf workshop where holiday games and craft stations will be available for kids to enjoy. Also new, the Merry Mixer by Ozinga will be displayed in from of Village Hall for the event. The Merry Mixer will be decked out with more than 32,000 programmed lights on its signature red and white cement mixer and features animated light sequences and toe-tapping renditions of favorite holiday tunes.

The Village Hall will also host the Festival of Trees that will turn all three levels of the Village Hall into a decorated holiday delight. Area businesses participate by decorating Christmas trees for everyone to enjoy, and visitors of all ages are invited to vote for their favorite tree. The Festival of Trees will continue until Dec. 23 during normal business hours.