Christmas Stroll heads to Elburn

The festival offers a variety of activities throughout the day with three main locations – the library at 320 E. North St., the Elburn and Countryside Community Center at 525 N. Main St., and the Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District at 210 E. North St.

Also, downtown businesses will remain open, some later than normal, and there will be activities at Elburn Hill Church, 506 N. Main St.

Jamie Jump, the administrator for the Elburn Chamber of Commerce, said the idea is that it’s possible to stroll from site to site. But a heated bus will be available to take people around, as well.

Activities begin at 3 p.m. at the community center, which will have a holiday bazaar, cookie decorating, “Train Rides with Santa” and other events featuring local groups. Maps will be distributed, and they can be initialed at each site.

At the fire department, there will be a demonstration of Christmas tree burnings to show how important safety is. They will be at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

And at the library, events start at 5 p.m., with the arrival of the Clauses. For those waiting in line, there will be plenty of entertainment – from the Reamtet jazz band, Magic Matt, Kaneland High School Madrigals and Dave Herzog’s Marionettes. Also, Village Board members will greet visitors, and the Friends of the Library will serve refreshments.

Brian O’Conner, who has been a co-chairman of the event with Bob Britz for years, said there is enough to entertain kids and adults alike.

“If you leave hungry, shame on you,” he said. “If you don’t have a good time, shame on you.”

Cathy Korthals, the director of adult services at the library, called it “a really nice, festive evening.” The crowds to see Santa can be huge, she said, but she said there is enough entertainment to keep people happy. She said the library will see more than 1,000 visitors in a three-hour time slot.