Santa On The Green Kicks Off Local Holiday Shopping Season

OAK LAWN, IL -- The Village of Oak Lawn and the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce hope to combine the magic of the season with a boost to local businesses. The annual Santa on the Green and Shop Oak Lawn event gets going from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. This fun, family winter frolic is FREE.

Featured activities include:

Santa on the Green -- The big three -- Santa, Mrs. C and Frosty -- will be arriving at noon in an Oak Lawn fire truck where they will be hearing children's wishes in the Gazebo. Gingerbread and Christmas Eve the reindeer will be grazing nearby. Other featured activities include an ice carving demonstration, children's Ferris wheel, bounce house, inflatable snow globe and choo choo train. Our tall friend the Elf stilt walker has also confirmed his appearance.

Sward and Kolmar School choruses will be singing Christmas carols from noon to 1 p.m. inside a heated tent and other carolers.

Stamps, Totes & Trolleys -- Collect stamps for a free tote bag at the Oak Lawn Public Library (9427 S. Raymond Avenue - next to Santa on the Green) and the Metra Station (9525 S. Tulley Avenue). Redeem stamps at the Metra Station and Oak Lawn Public Library. While supplies last.

“Shops of Oak Lawn” Vendor Fair at the Oak Lawn Public Library - Check out a variety of area businesses at “Shops of Oak Lawn,” Magic Show (1 and 2 p.m.) and child fingerprinting. Kid-friendly activities will be provided by some of the vendors. Featured Chamber businesses will be at the Library: Art Clay World, BEDS Plus, Complete Vision Care, Credit Union 1, Children Museum in Oak Lawn, Team DGK Realty Team of Betancourt Realty, Grace Point, Family Eye Physicians, iDream Realty, Infinity Technology, Jesse Colman-Keller Williams Preferred Realty, Jewels 2 You, Oak Lawn Public Library, Oak Lawn Park District, O’Hara & Friends Salon, Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center, JP Architects, Lockdown Security, Marquette Bank, McEnery Financial, Penny Lane Schools, Pops 24/7 Live Scan Fingerprinting.

Trolley Rides -- Free parking is available at the Metra Station (9525 S. Tulley Ave.). Trolleys (also free) will be embarking every 15 minutes between the Metra Station and Santa on the Green.

Kids’ Activities and Food at the Metra Station – The fun continues at the Metra station, including face painting provided by the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn ($5 per child), live music and balloon twisters. Featured food vendors (for sale) include: Little Something Extra Bakery, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Smilin’ Clyde’s Hot Dogs and hot chocolate provided by the Oak Lawn Park District Ice Arena.

A significant number of Oak Lawn businesses are locally owned and operated. This keeps money in your community. Visit the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce for additional business listings in the Oak Lawn and surrounding areas.

~ Photos of 2017 Santa on the Green/Shop Oak Lawn by Patch Editor Lorraine Swanson