Step into the season at the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce Christmas Walk
Santa arrives at village hall in the bucket of Hinsdale's ladder truck in 2019 to light the Christmas tree and mark the start of the 2019 Christmas Walk. The walk returns tomorrow night to downtown Hinsdale after a one-year hiatus, with attractions for the whole family to enjoy. (file photo)
Get in your Yuletide spirit and join the Hinsdale Christmas Walk from 5 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 3, throughout downtown Hinsdale.
The 55th annual Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce event is returning, like so many activities, after last year's interruption due to COVID-19 concerns. Eva Field, the chamber's president and CEO, said there was a lot of disappointment at having to cancel the 2020 edition.
"We were going to try and move forward with it but at the last minute we had to quarantine Cookie," she quipped, referencing the walk's gingerbread man mascot.
Families were still able to meet Santa in Burlington Park, but in a socially distanced arrangement.
This year, Field is expecting the holiday revelers to turn out en masse.
"I'm expecting big, big crowds for sure," she exclaimed.
Those who attend will be treated to all the favorite attractions, like Cookie's Carousel at the intersection of First and Washington streets, the trackless Kiddie Express train on East Hinsdale Avenue, Cookie and Disney character Olaf greeting visitors, and strolling carolers.
And a number of shops will be open and booths set up along the street offering fun giveaways - "bling bling" as Field characterized it - and festive goodies.
"We've got a lot of street vendors and businesses that are setting up shop," Field said. "There will be a nice selection of things, like hot chocolate and a photo booth, so people can take a picture with a cardboard Santa."
Speaking of Santa, the man himself will arrive at promptly 5 p.m. in a fire truck at the Memorial Building, 19 E. Chicago Ave., to light the Christmas tree and kick off the evening, so make sure to be on time to witness that tradition.
Field said the event will be even more pedestrian friendly this year than in the past.
"A lot of the streets are going to be closed for safety," she said, noting the new locations for he carousel and the trackless train. "We're trying to accommodate the crowds and spread it out."
And with Friday's temps forecast to be in the mid-40s with no rain, the expectation is for robust attendance.
"When it's a nice mild evening out there, people just come out," Field remarked.
She hopes people take advantage of the magical night.
"It's an opportunity for them to have a good time in the downtown and for merchants to welcome people in to shop," Field said.
For more information, visit https://www.hinsdalechamber.com or call (630) 323-3952.
See Santa, ride a carriage
The Village of Hinsdale is holding its traditional Holidays in Hinsdale activities on Saturdays, Dec. 11 and 18, in Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave.
Visitors can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the downtown, then feed their creative side and their appetites by making festive gingerbread cookies. And don't forget to bring those Christmas wish lists because Santa will be welcoming his young fans during this special holiday event.
The activities take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visit https://www.villageofhinsdale.org for more information.
North Pole is accepting mail
Hinsdale residents are invited to write a letter to Santa and receive a personal response back by placing the letter in Santa's Mailbox at Hinsdale Village Hall, 19 E. Maple St., between now and Dec. 15.
Children of residents may write a letter to Santa highlighting their holiday wishes or anything else they would like him to know in this free holiday program.
Letters should be accompanied by the parent form that is available to download at https://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr. Santa won't be able to return any letters not including this form.
