Grayslake was able to get its major holiday event done in one day before Lake County was hit with a significant snowstorm over the weekend.
The Ferris wheel was back this year and more popular than ever at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Friday in downtown Grayslake. It provided a festive backdrop to the parade, which started by rounding the corner onto Center Street.
Christopher and Holly Rusch of Gurnee brought their children Luka, 2, Maxwell, 4, and Hudson, 8.
“They were so excited,” Holly Rusch said. “They wanted to come see Santa. We weren’t expecting the Ferris wheel to be here, and they were so pumped.”
The complimentary festival included photos with Santa at the Heritage Center, the post sunset parade with high school marching band musicians, the tree lighting immediately following the parade, holiday caroling by Central and North Grayslake high school choral members, art exhibits and giving tree displays, plus business and charitable fundraising organizations staffing outside booths and tents.
The Festival of Lights and Holiday Market was hosted by the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce and showcased the Grayslake Village Center.
“This is an event the chamber does for the community, Village Center coordinator Allison Koch said. “They do a lot to put this on. We are really excited for this.
“The Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce continues to bring this amazing family-friendly event to the community each year the day after Thanksgiving,” she said. “We love seeing all the families come out and fill the streets, and so many local businesses and organizations get involved with the festivities.
“This truly is an evening full of holiday cheer,” Koch added.
Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maribeth Hamm said, “Our annual Festival of Lights has become a true hallmark of the season, bringing the community together with twinkling lights, carriage rides, a festive Ferris wheel and even real reindeer.
“We invite everyone to shop at our wonderful local stores and restaurants, and celebrate the magic of the holiday with us,” she said.
People lined the parade route wearing blankets to keep warm and donned festive holiday hats that lit up. Holiday bulb necklaces were seen twinkling, and children waved illuminated toys, perhaps bought from vendor carts.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in a parade that launched while the skies were still tinted with post-sunset color. The couple was escorted to the stage, where Grayslake Mayor Elizabeth Davies awaited to help with the grand countdown to light the evergreen with white lights.
“We always believe in Grayslake that we have a Hallmark town, and this is one of those moments that makes it so,” Davies said. “Wonderful people come out and support us here in Grayslake.
“The chamber has grown this event to something really, truly spectacular,” she said. “What once was just 50 people around a tree on the edge of Village Hall has grown to thousands of people ringing in their holiday season right here with a backdrop of a wonderful American town that is Grayslake.”
