Genoa Celebrates the Season
GENOA – When Santa Claus arrives in Genoa on Friday, it won’t be behind a horse.
“I decided to go back to a hometown tradition and have Santa welcomed into town on a firetruck,” said Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce Director Kristie Mulso.
“He has arrived on a carriage the last few years. The G-K Fire Department is a great supporter of the chamber, and I think it’s important to go back to tradition.”
A bonus to Santa riding in on a firetruck, Mulso said, is it frees up the horse and carriage to give nonstop rides for the entire three-hour Celebrate the Season event. Rides in the carriage are $1.
Celebrate the Season will also feature a variety of fun family activities, many of them free. There will be a petting zoo, facepainting, crafts, games and vendors.
After Santa arrives in the Jingle Bell Parade, he will light the community Christmas tree, then will visit with children in his house on the vacant lot next to the Genoa Public Library.
“We want everyone to be involved,” Mulso said. “This is probably the biggest community event we put on, and anybody and everybody is pretty much welcome.”
In addition to visiting with children from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7, Santa will be available in his house from 10 a.m. until noon Dec. 8 and 15. Each child that visits Santa will receive a free candy cane and coloring book provided by NB&T bank.
Celebrate the Season
5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7
Downtown Genoa
Santa will arrive in the Jingle Bell Parade and light the community tree before visiting with children at his house. Carriage rides will be available for $1. Other activities include a petting zoo, facepainting, crafts, games and vendor booths.
Sycamore kids can Walk with Santa
SYCAMORE – Discover Sycamore’s Winter Chocolate Walk will sweeten downtown from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. See the best of Sycamore’s downtown shops while sampling an array of chocolate treats: chocolate cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, Mexican hot chocolate, chocolate martinis and just plain chocolate. The Confectionary will offer Chocolate Tours so visitors can learn all of its sweet secrets.
On Friday, Dec. 7, good boys and girls of all ages will gather at the Midwest Museum of Natural History at 5:30 p.m. to welcome Santa Claus to Sycamore. Parade with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves through downtown Sycamore to the courthouse lawn, where Santa will light the holiday tree. After the ceremony, Santa will visit with children in his house on the corner of the lawn. While they wait, children and their parents can warm up with cookies and hot chocolate courtesy of Salem Lutheran Church.
Santa’s House on the DeKalb County Courthouse lawn will be open to visitors Dec. 7 through 23. Santa will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 2 p.m. Sundays. Santa even has his own personal mailbox where visitors can drop their wish lists.
Winter Chocolate Walk
5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6
Downtown Sycamore
Shop and enjoy an assortment of free chocolate treats.
Walk With Santa
5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7
Santa will walk with children and parents from the Midwest Museum of Natural History to the courthouse, then will visit with children in his house on the courthouse lawn. The house will be open weekends through Dec. 23.
