Lemont Kicks Off the Season with ‘Hometown Holiday’

There will be plenty of free fun and festivities for the entire family at Lemont’s annual Hometown Holiday event, which will be held in the village’s historic downtown from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

In the true spirit of the season, Hometown Holiday is as much about giving as receiving. This year, the Lemont Girl Scouts Community Service Unit 24 will sponsor a variety of charitable activities, including “Cards to Heroes” as well as a toy collection and food drive.

The Cards to Heroes mini-event will take place throughout the day at Community Christian Church at 102 Stephen St, across from Stonehouse Pub. Girl Scout Event Chairwoman Betty Slad encourages all ages to stop by and create or sign a card or note to be sent to U.S. military troops who will be away from home during the holidays.

“We have Christmas cards, notes and construction paper for decorating,” said Slad. “People can write their own messages and the cards will be added to boxes filled with candy and personal items to be shipped to Lemont soldiers and their platoons.”

The Girl Scouts’ toy drive will benefit a foundation created by Lemont resident Earl Anderson in memory of his son, Jeff.  For decades, Anderson has been donning his Santa suit and distributing donated toys to children in hospitals, shelters and other places where he finds children in need.

“We are asking people to bring unwrapped toys, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils and markers … anything for kids, to Stonehouse Pub on Saturday to donate to Earl Anderson’s Foundation,” said Slad. “Earl has been playing Santa for years – and he always has his garage loaded with toys for needy kids. He’s just a wonderful Santa.”

People can also drop off non-perishable food at Stonehouse Pub anytime during the Hometown Holiday event for the Girl Scouts’ food drive to benefit local food pantries and the Hope and Friendship Foundation, Slad said.

Hometown Holiday Schedule

2 - 6 p.m.  

• Tree decorating throughout town
• Ice sculpting
• Horse-drawn wagon rides
• Face painting and other children's activities
• Christmas Cards to Heroes
• Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of Girl Scouts
• Toy drive for the Anderson Foundation
• Food drive for local food pantries
• Personal care, cleaning and laundry care drive for Hope & Friendship Foundation (Drop off items at Stonehouse Pub or Mindflow Cafe)

4:30 p.m.

• Christmas caroling in Budnik Plaza (at Stephen and Canal streets), featuring Lemont Girl Scouts Community Service Unit 24

5 p.m.

• Tree lighting ceremony in Budnik Plaza

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Visit with Santa Claus at Sweetwater Deli, 316 Canal St.