HIGHWOOD, IL (DECEMBER 6, 2014) – Celebrate the start of the holidays at Highwood’s first community-wide Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 6th from 3-5pm at City Hall Park (17 Highwood Ave). Join the City of Highwood’s Mayor Pecaro, Jen Zanotti-Ori, president of the Highwood Chamber of Commerce, Teta Minuzzo, president of the Highwood Historical Society, and be a part of this new “Celebrate Highwood” tradition as they light up Downtown Highwood for the 2014 Holiday season.
City Hall Park will turn into celebration central with a mini Kringle Market, pictures with Santa, S’more making for kids, and holiday caroling by the Highland Park High School Choir. The Highwood Historical Society will be hosting an Old-Fashioned Highwood holiday, passing out memorable goodie bags to all the kids. There will also be holiday centerpieces and gifts from The Silk Thumb, and Clucker’s warm chicken chili to enjoy.
Attendees are encouraged to help less fortunate families this holiday season, by bringing toys and non-perishable food donations.
• The Marines will be on site collecting for their Toys For Tots program that was started in 1947, by U.S. Marine Major Bill Hendricks and was adopted by the Marine Corps in 1948.
• Moraine Township Food Pantry Trustee, Olga Aguilar, will be on hand accepting any non-perishable and non-expired food items to share with families throughout the community.
At 4:30 the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin with the Color Guard presenting their colors, followed by Kids’ Rank singing Taps, leading up to the magical lighting of Downtown Highwood.
After the tree lighting, everyone is invited to stop by the many establishments in Highwood that will be celebrating the season with shopping specials and hot drinks for the holidays:
Bent Fork Bakery - Hot peppermint cocoa
Longitud315 – Coco-latte, a warm South American-inspired hot chocolate drink
Santi’s Garden - Warm mulled wine with cranberry and eggnog drinks
The Toadstool Pub - Hot cider (kids or adults) and Irish coffee
“Everyone in the Highwood community and beyond, as well as the servicemen and women stationed in nearby Naval Station Great Lakes and Fort Sheridan Reserve, are invited to explore and support the local businesses of Highwood on this festive occasion,” says Jennifer Zanotti-Ori, president of the Highwoood Chamber of Commerce. “Shoppers will be able to find the perfect gift for anyone on their shopping list from many of the charming local businesses.”
Many Highwood businesses will also be participating in the Moraine Township Food Bank and Toys for Tots drives including: Brian Lock Insurance Agency, Jen Z’s Beauty Services, Leonardi Insurance Agency, Midwest Young Artists, Santi’s Garden, The VITI Companies, VIP Stone and Tile
and throughout town as well.
For more information on all of Highwood’s festivals, please visit www.CelebrateHighwood.com, or call 847-432-6000. For updates on all Celebrate Highwood events, please visit the City of Highwood Facebook page, or follow Celebrate Highwood @CityofHighwood on Twitter.