Community Corner

Holiday Celebrations Lighting Up the Next Two Weeks

Montgomery, Aurora and Oswego have set their tree lighting ceremonies for this year. Come on out and share in the season.

Yeah, we know what you’re thinking. Thanksgiving doesn’t happen until Thursday, why are we already thinking about Christmas?

Well, with decorations creeping into stores shortly after Halloween, and holiday music blaring from radio stations already, we’ll just have to face it: the Christmas season is here already. And the next couple of weeks will see holiday celebrations in several towns around the area.

Montgomery’s annual tree lighting is set for Sunday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at , 200 N. River Street. First up, students from local grade schools will decorate the village’s Christmas tree with handmade ornaments, before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in a fire truck to help light the tree.

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Students will then regale the audience with Christmas carols as they enjoy refreshments inside Village Hall. Santa will stick around for pictures as well.

This year, the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce is launching an event called the Festival of Trees, which will see Village Hall decorated with trees provided by area businesses. For more information on that, read .

Find out what's happening in Montgomerywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Aurora’s tree lighting ceremony is actually Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, at 6 p.m. For the first time, the tree will be lit outside North Island Center on Galena Boulevard. Mayor Tom Weisner and Santa Claus will flip the switch together.

Aurora’s tree will be decorated with handmade ornaments, made by Aurora residents. The winners of the annual Jack Frost and Miss Merry Christmas contest will be on hand to help light the tree as well. For more info, go here.

Oswego’s ceremony is set for Friday, Dec. 2., from 5-9 p.m. It starts with the tree lighting at 5 p.m. on Main Street, near the old fire station. Students from the Oswego East High School group Spotlight will provide music. At 7 p.m. the silent illuminated fire truck parade will roll down Main Street, with fire vehicles from Oswego and other departments on display.

Other events set for the Dec. 2 ceremony include ice carving demonstrations, a visit from Santa Claus, ice skating and sledding. More activities are planned for Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4. For more information, go here.


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