La Grange Holiday Walk 2012: Your Complete Guide

La Grange’s Hometown Holiday event, popularly called the Holiday Walk, is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday and promises, as usual, to completely overtake the La Grange downtown as local businesses and organizations go all-out to both entertain the public and promote themselves during the December shopping rush. 

“We are so fortunate to have a local community that understands the importance of supporting the small business owner,” said Ryan Williamson, president of the La Grange Business Association, which hosts the event, in a press release.

“Hometown Holiday is eagerly anticipated by everyone as a way to celebrate the season and celebrate La Grange—all while giving back to the community economically.”

Highlights this year include a singalong with Lyons Township High School’s Madrigal Choir, free screening of Will Ferrell’s Elf at the La Grange Theatre, performances by the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra, a petting zoo, trolley- and hay-rides and, of course, the appearance of Santa and Mrs. Claus and the lighting of the La Grange Christmas tree.

Numerous local businesses (see above map) will also host open houses with various events, raffles, discounts and other giveaways.

“It’s really a way for our business community to give back to the people who patronize their businesses all year long,” said LGBA spokeswoman Nancy Cummings. 

A particular emphasis in 2012 will be placed on La Grange’s West End businesses, those closer to the Stone Avenue station than La Grange Road. More West End businesses are involved in their home locations this year than ever before. Free trolleys will be running throughout the Village to ensure that visitors can get around. 

“Even though our store has been a part of the La Grange community for several years—we’ve been in business over 30 years—we still hear a lot of times that we’re a hidden secret or the best kept secret of La Grange because we are off the beaten path,” said Lisa Thomson of De Vries Grocery & Market in the West End. 

“So I think for us, being included in the Holiday Walk is just another way to hopefully get some newer folks out our way, let them know that we’re there, have them come into the store and see what we’re all about.” 

Notably, the weather is forecasted to be unseasonably warm—great for visitors to enjoy (although the ice sculptures may be less pleased.)

Check the above map for participating La Grange businesses and view (and print) the PDF to the top right for a complete schedule of the event. 

The Elf screening is scheduled for 3pm, the singalong for 4:45pm, the arrival of Santa and lighting for 5:30pm, visits with Santa from 6pm through 8pm and business open houses from 5pm through 9pm.