Holiday Festivities Kick Off In Plainfield: Here's What To Expect

PLAINFIELD, IL — Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, many Plainfield residents are getting ready to celebrate the rest of the holiday season. In the spirit of winter holidays, several organizations have activities planned throughout the day Saturday.

Kicking off at 4 p.m., Grinchmas on the Green, hosted by the Plainfield Park District, returns with its annual tree-lighting ceremony at Village Green Park, 24121 W. Chicago St. Santa and the Grinch will arrive at the park and do the honors lighting a 30-foot tree.

Along with the main tree, several trees surrounding the park will also be lit, and guests can indulge in hot cocoa and cookies during the festivities.

Also starting at 4 p.m. is the 70th annual creche lighting program hosted by the Plainfield Lions Club. Taking place at Plymouth Congregational Church, 24022 W. Lockport St., the club has four-hours-worth of activities planned.

Here's a schedule of the creche lighting program:

• 5:00 p.m. — Tree-lighting ceremony
• 6:45 p.m. — Community Carol sing-along in the sanctuary
• 7:00 p.m. — Creche Lighting program in the sanctuary, featuring Christmas hymns and Plainfield South High School madrigals
• 8:00 p.m. — Outdoor lighting of the creche

The creche program at the church is free to attend, but a free-will offering will take place to benefit the Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry.

For those who want to escape the cold during the downtown Plainfield holiday activities, the Plainfield Public Library is hosting a Handmade Holiday Market, which starts at 5 p.m. More than 30 vendors that specialize in handmade gifts, treats and decor will be selling goodies at the market.

With free admission, the market will run until 8 p.m. To see a list of vendors, people interested can check out the library's website.

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