Start the holidays with family
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| Friday afternoon, children will once again have the opportunity to create their own lighted lanterns and then parade them around the Grundy County Courthouse lawn just prior to the annual Lighted Holiday Parade and Lighting Spectacular. (Photo courtesy of the Morris Downtown Development Partnership) |
Over its 18 years, “Home for the Holidays” has become a favorite among residents, friends and families visiting Morris over the Thanksgiving weekend.
During this festive occasion, set this year for the weekend of Nov. 27 and 28, there are many family-oriented events planned, and most of them are free! Downtown retailers will offer holiday specials and traditional Christmas refreshments while festive music fills the streets.
Home for the Holidays is funded by ticket sales from the Christmas House Walk and Holiday Tea, which will be held on Friday, Nov. 27.
MORRIS AREA COMMUNITY HOLIDAY CONCERT
The festivities actually get going at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, with the Morris Area Community Holiday Concert.
The sounds of the holiday season will fill the Morris Community High School Auditorium during this free show. It all begins when the Prairie Singers, led by George McComb, take the stage to perform a collection of a few light classical favorites and a variety of upbeat holiday tunes.
This year’s selections will include “Happy Holidays,” “White Christmas,” “Going on a Sleigh Ride,” and many more. Celebrating their 20th year, The Prairie Singers are a long-standing local favorite with members from Grundy, La Salle and Livingston counties.
HOUSEWALK AND TEA
This year’s Christmas Housewalk and Tea will be from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. It will feature five homes beautifully decorated for the holiday season and a complimentary Holiday Tea hosted by the First Baptist Church at 1650 West U.S. 6.
Ken and Judy Daggett, Scott and Holly Daggett, Todd and Kathy Daggett, Ken and Arlene Elberson and Chuck and Lorie Birch will graciously open their homes for this year’s housewalk.
A beautiful display of luminaria will grace the sidewalks and driveways of the five homes, as well as the area outside the church. Jim Scaman, Morris Rotary and the local Girl Scouts and their leader, Mary Miller-Roed, will coordinate this project.
Tickets for the event are available at many local businesses and financial institutions in Morris. They will also be available on the day of the event at all five of the homes on the housewalk, as well as at the tea. The cost of the ticket is $15.
Included in the ticket price is a coupon for a 25 percent savings on selected items at participating retailers in Morris from Nov. 27 to 29. It will also be your entry into a drawing to win a downtown Morris shopping spree and gift basket.
The winner will receive a $500 gift voucher for Retail Committee businesses in downtown Morris, a $300 Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate, dinner at Chapin’s Restaurant, and wine from Montage Spirit and Gifts. The entries may be turned in to any of the participating retailers listed on the ticket.
Proceeds from this community event are donated to various organizations. Funds from the 2008 housewalk went to the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice, Morris Downtown Beautification Fund and Morris Community High School and Grundy Area Vocational Center scholarships.
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Sponsored by the Grundy County Historical Society, the two-day event Festival of Trees will be held at the new Grundy County Historical Society Museum, 510 W. Illinois Avenue, from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.
All auctions will be closed and items will be available for pick up at 2 p.m. Saturday
LANTERN MAKING FOR LIGHTED PARADE
From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, parents are encouraged to take the kids to the Eagle’s Hall, 120 N. Liberty St., to construct a lantern for the lantern parade! Once their lantern is complete, the kids should be sure to stick around so they can march in the parade and display their newly made creations.
All materials will be provided at no cost. All children must be accompanied by an adult and adults must remain with the children at all times. This has become a very popular and exciting event for many families!
Prior to the lighted holiday parade, any child who wishes to participate in a march around the courthouse lawn with his or her lantern is welcome to do so, beginning at 4:45 p.m.
LIGHTED HOLIDAY PARADE & LIGHTING SPECTACULAR
Sponsored by "D" Construction and Edward Jones, the Lighted Holiday Parade returns at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, to welcome Santa Claus back to downtown Morris.
The HFTH Parade Committee, led by Jim Scaman and Ken Buck, encourages the community to participate in the parade this year, making it even bigger and brighter than in years past.
Anyone wishing to submit an entry can request an application by e-mailing to hfthchristmasparade@yahoo.com or calling the MDDP office at (815) 941-0245. The deadline for applications is Nov. 24.
The parade route runs on Liberty Street from Chapin Park to the Grundy County Courthouse Lawn on Washington Street. Immediately following the parade, the annual lighting spectacular will take place at the Grundy County Courthouse Lawn.
SANTA’S HOUSE
After the excitement of the parade and lighting spectacular, children will have the opportunity to visit Santa in his house at Canal Port Plaza from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. Children can give him their wish lists while parents snap a picture.
LUMINARIA
Bringing a warm glow to a cold, dark night, luminaria will adorn downtown Morris from F5 to 7 p.m. Friday night, Nov. 27. They will be located along the south end of Liberty Street and will extend north to Washington Street, as well as in front of the Grundy County Courthouse.
This beautiful addition to downtown is coordinated by Jim Scaman, along with the efforts of the Morris Rotary and the local Girl Scouts with their leader, Mary Miller-Roed.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Begin the Holiday Season by having breakfast with Santa Claus. The Morris Public Library, 604 N. Liberty, will have five sittings with Santa starting at 8:30 a.m., and continuing at 9, 9:30, 10 and 10:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served.
Parents are encouraged to bring a camera and capture photos of their children sitting with Santa and making a special holiday craft. Seating for this very popular event is limited and registration is required.
Reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call (815) 942-6880 to register.
CHILDREN’S THEATRE
My Father’s House of Prayer, 118 East Jefferson St. (the old Morris Theatre), will host a showing of “Legend of the Three Trees” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.
This classic folktale, narrated by actor Hal Holbrook, is a timeless retelling of the story of three distinct trees. Each tree has its own hopes, dreams and aspirations. While each dreams of becoming great, they face their share of disappointment until they interact and learn their special purpose.
This presentation is free to the public and no registration is necessary.
CHILDREN’S WINTER CARNIVAL
Returning to this year’s calendar of events from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, is the Children’s Winter Carnival, which will be held inside the Eagle’s Hall at 120 Liberty Street.
Children will delight in the games and activities planned with just them in mind. A snowman bean bag toss, holiday “Bozo Buckets," popcorn station, a chance to win a goldfish, and face painting are just a few of the items planned for youngsters to enjoy.
And if your timing is right, you may run into Giggles the clown.
No registration is required for this entertaining afternoon of fun, but an adult must remain with the child while they attend.
SANTA AND HIS REINDEER
You won’t want to forget your camera for this special event. Santa will be on the courthouse lawn with one of his reindeer from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. Santa’s reindeer is friendly, tame and likes to be petted.
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES
No holiday event would be complete without enchanting horse-drawn carriage rides. This is by far the greatest way to take in all the holiday splendor of downtown Morris.
There is no cost for this event. Carriages will be located in front of the Grundy County Courthouse from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY
Children from local schools, assisted by their teachers, will be decorating trees and wreaths in downtown businesses and the Morris Area Public Library as they have done in previous years.
The merchants and the library will provide the trees and the children will make the ornaments in school.
Please come out Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27-29, and support this community project by stopping by each participating location to view the decorations.
GRUNDY BANK COAT DRIVE
In keeping with the spirit of the season of giving, Grundy Bank on Saturday, Nov. 28, will host a coat drive for area residents in need.
Bring in a new or gently used coat to the bank, at 201 North Liberty St., from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, and they will distribute them as part of their Caring Committee’s ongoing mission to help others.
RETAIL OPEN HOUSE
The weekend won’t be complete until you use the coupon in your housewalk ticket for a 25 percent discount on selected items at participating businesses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What a great opportunity to “buy local."
In addition, you can use your housewalk ticket to register for various prizes, including the grand prize of a downtown Morris shopping spree including a $500 gift voucher for Retail Committee businesses in downtown Morris, a $300 Grundy County Chamber of Commerce gift certificate, dinner at Chapin’s Restaurant, and wine from Montage Spirit and Gifts.
Several merchants will offer a variety of holiday goodies and treats throughout the weekend, as well as wonderful prizes and specials on selected items. Storefronts will be beautifully decorated in a variety of Christmas themes.
LIGHTING OF CHAPIN PARK
Returning to this year’s schedule, will be the spectacular Lighting of Chapin Park.
Conclude this year’s Home for the Holidays weekend with a visit to the park between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, for its lighting, free horse-drawn sleigh rides, luminaria, carolers, gifts, hot drinks and visits with Santa in his sleigh!
Be sure to plan ahead for the many activities scheduled for this fun-filled weekend. There will be something for everyone looking for a fun and economical way to kick-off the holiday season.
The Home for the Holidays Committee would like to welcome you to join the numerous volunteers who make this weekend come to life. Should you wish to donate your time and talents, please contact the Morris Downtown Development Partnership at (815) 941-0245. For more information, visit www.downtownmorris.com.
Proceeds from this year’s Home for the Holidays will benefit the Downtown Beautification Fund, as well as other local organizations and individuals.
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