Gingerbread Festival Coming to Downtown Downers Grove Thanksgiving Weekend

Submitted by Downtown Downers Grove.

Downtown Downers Grove presents their Annual “Gingerbread Festival” November 28 – November 30, 2014. The Gingerbread Festival offers something for all ages to enjoy: Gingerbread Story-time, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Gingerbread Man Hunt, Gingerbread House Contest, Gingerbread Man Contest, visits with Santa in his Gingerbread House, Small Business Saturday, Gingerbucks Reward Card, Gingerbread Boy and Girl perusing town, Breakfast with Santa & Complimentary Carriage Rides.

The Gingerbread Festival will begin with Santa’s arrival on Friday November 28th. The children are invited to attend “Gingerbread Story-time” at the Downers Grove Library at 3:30 p.m. Space is limited. Immediately following story-time the Downers Grove South Marching Band will then lead the children through the streets of Downtown Downers Grove to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Village of Downers Grove. Santa will make his debut at the Tree Lighting Ceremony with the assistance of the girls and boys of Downers Grove lighting the way for Santa in the Fire Truck.

Come view our holiday tree decorated with over 1,000 handmade ornaments by the children of Downers Grove. Enjoy cider and cookies inside the train station beginning at 4:00 p.m. while we await Santa’s arrival. At 4:30 p.m., Mayor Tully and Santa will count down and bring a sparkle to the tree! After the tree is lite and the Christmas carols are sung, visit your favorite boutiques and restaurants, vote for your favorite Gingerbread House at the Gingerbread Headquarters and participating businesses.

Saturday, November 29th support your downtown Merchants with the Fifth Annual American Express Small Business Saturday. Downtown Downers Grove merchants will help you cross off your Christmas list with one-of-a-kind gifts. Children can participate in the Gingerbread Man Hunt and earn a prize. Visit with Santa in his Gingerbread House at Curtiss and Main from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Make sure to vote for your favorite Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Man at participating businesses.

Sunday, November 30th, bring the whole family and enjoy breakfast with Santa (Kristina’s Café 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Ballydoyle Irish Pub 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Egg Harbor Cafe 12 p.m.-1 p.m.) Reservations required and can be made by calling the individual restaurants. Children can participate in the Gingerbread Man Hunt and earn a prize. While you shop, take a break and enjoy a complimentary Carriage Ride. Visit with Santa in his Gingerbread House from 1-4 p.m. Do not forget this is the final day to vote for your favorite Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Man at participating businesses.

Santa will be in his Gingerbread House (at the corner of Main and Curtiss) all season every Saturdayand Sunday Nov. 29-Dec.21 from 1-4 p.m., sponsored by O’Flaherty Law.

Shop and Dine downtown Downers Grove this Holiday Season and pick up your Gingerbucks Reward Card at a participating business. Receive a stamp for every $10.00 you spend at a participating business. Spend $100.00 at participating businesses and be entered for a chance to win $100.00 in downtown Downers Grove gift certificates, weekly!

For more information please visit www.downtowndg.org or call 630-725-0991.