The Zion Park District elves have been busy creating a Christmas trail in Shiloh Park, featuring more than 100,000 lights and 50 displays.
When they’re not doing their elf work, they’re working in the maintenance department, said Christine Wertman, community relations manager for the park district.
The public can drive through the lighted trail for free from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 17 to Jan. 2, 2022.
“The Zion park district elves put all the blood, sweat and tears into the exhibit,” Wertman said, adding they also are out when the lights are on to make sure everything’s working properly.
Chief elf Mike Priller, aka park district foreman, said those who drive through the lit park will see displays depicting Christmas around the world.
“For example, the United States display has Santa Claus, an American eagle and an American flag,” he said.
Great Britain features Father Christmas walking with a cane, and Sweden shows St. Lucia playing a musical instrument and wearing lit candles on her head.
This part of the display promotes “community” and “world togetherness,” Priller said.
He and his elves work on the exhibit in the shop for two weeks, checking relays, transformers, lights and other moving parts. A week before the lights are lit, they begin outdoor installation.
Other scenes in the show include Santa’s workshop with elves making toys including rubber ducks. The lights move to make it appear as if one elf was swinging his hammer.
Fairy tales and children’s nursery rhymes also are part of the display. Hickory Dickory Dock is there, for example, with the mouse running up the clock.
To open the show, the park district and City of Zion are holding a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., Dec. 17. Free hot cocoa and cookies will be served as high school students sing Christmas carols.
“This year, we are asking people to bring an ornament with a message of hope to hang on the tree,” Wertman said.
Those driving through the light show can stop at the lit Christmas tree first to read those messages, she said.
The light show was created in Zion last year during the pandemic to give the community a way to enjoy the holidays safely, according to Kay Petersen, superintendent of parks.
It was successful enough to create it again this year, she said. “We had a lot of requests to keep it on longer,” Petersen said, adding that’s why it will be open for viewing through Jan. 2.
Priller said, “On the first night last year, 400 cars came through. There were 300 the next night and after that 75 to 100 each day. We did have repeat visitors.”
It takes about 10 minutes to drive-through, depending on how long the drivers linger to enjoy the lights, he said.
The lighted Christmas trail starts at Port Shiloh Pool parking lot on Shiloh Boulevard and is free. The Grinch and Santa will visit the trail from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Children will receive a small gift at the end of the trail.
Home for the Holidays Lighted Christmas Trail
When: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 17-Jan. 2
Where: Shiloh Park, 25th Street and Emmaus Ave., Zion
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-746-5500, zionparkdistrict.com
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
