Chamber of Commerce & Industry

WILMINGTON, ILLINOIS
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Santa arrives Saturday!
Winter Wonderland parade steps off at 5 p.m.
THE LOVELL Farm float is a Winter Wonderland favorite. This year's parade steps off from the Middle School at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. file photo

The tiny lights will twinkle merrily, as the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and city of Wilmington usher in the season with the Winter Wonderland lighted Christmas parade and community tree lighting.

Chamber members will be celebrating the 13th annual event - Frosty Frolics - with singing, costumed snowmen, dance performances and the most magical part of the holidays, visits with Santa.

The celebration takes place on Nov. 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Downtown businesses will be welcoming shoppers all day with treats, and are extending their hours into the evening. Sales and specials will make it possible to find unique gifts with local appeal - no travel needed.

North Water Street will be closed to traffic from Baltimore Street to Van Buren. Streets and alleys leading to North Water Street will also be closed and parking on North Water will be strictly prohibited after 3 p.m. the day of the parade.

Before the parade

The holiday fun will begin as soon as local retailers open their doors. Visit one of 24 businesses participating in the Chamber's Frosty Frolics raffle. Fill out a raffle ticket and have a chance to win the snowman, and be entered in a grand prize drawing for a prize worth $400 in Chamber gift certificates.

The Trinity Services Barkery, at 217 N. First St., will have its shelves stocked with homemade dog treats (Fritters for Critters All Natural Pet Treats) in the shape of Christmas trees and candy canes. Special gift items will be available for canine family members - and people shaped family members too.

No shopping excursion downtown would be complete without a visit to The Trinity Knot's open house. Shoppers can enjoy mulled cider and Irish Porter cake while browsing antiques, vintage collectibles and Irish rugs, caps, fashions, jewelry and more. The Christmas open house runs Friday through Sunday, and anyone who makes a purchase gets a chance to spin the wheel for gift
certificates and other great gifts from The Trinity Knot's dealers.

Milltown Market Antique Mall is holding its annual Christmas show Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shoppers can walk down the "streets" of the market with a cup of Gary's "cider" and find gifts galore offered by 100 vendors and consignors. Milltown is located at 508 N. Kankakee St.

The Mar Theater will hold a special holiday matinee leading up to the parade. The doors will open at 2:30 p.m. for a 3 p.m. showing of the 1992 classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Admission will be $2 and a non-perishable items for the Christian Help Association, or $3 without a donation to the CHA.

The parade

The Chamber's 2011 Business Person of the Year, Kirk Bellettini from Bellettini Foods, will be the parade grand marshal. The parade features lighted floats, the Chamber Christmas Elves, the Wilmington High School marching bands, the Shriner camel brigade, Santa Claus and a pair of snowmen (the real thing!).

The parade will leave the middle school campus promptly at 5 p.m. It will travel on Ryan to Water Street north to the post office.

Lineup will begin at 4:30 p.m.

After the parade

Following the parade, activities will take place on North Water Street, including the community tree lighting at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Claire's Corner by the Business Person of the Year. To give everyone an opportunity to get downtown after the parade, the Wilmington High School Show Cats will sing carols until the lighting.

Santa will begin his visits with children at approximately 5:45 at Santa's house, which will be parked on North Water Street. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.

Right after the tree lighting, the award winning Diamond Dancers of Wilmington's Finale Studio will begin their performances. In addition, free hot dogs will be served at Jasmine's Confectionery, courtesy of Welch's Catering, and Jasmine's will serve cocoa to go with the dogs.

To top the evening off, the community is invited to follow the line of luminaries provided by Riverside Medical Center and Bellettini Foods across the millrace walkbridge to Christmas in the Park on the North Island. The Christmas themed exhibition is sponsored by the Wilmington Lions Club, Rotary, Masons, VFW and Wilmington Garden Club. The entrance to the walk is near the concession stand. The lights will be on from 5 to 9 p.m. daily after Saturday, until Dec. 31. (On Dec. 2 and 3 and 9 and 10, handicap accessibility will be provided.)