Lincolnwood celebrated its tree lighting festival outside Village Hall on Thursday, Nov. 30. About 100 people gathered to listen to singers from the village, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa, and take photos with Santa.
The festivities kicked off with Mayor Jesal Patel welcoming attendees. He brought up resident Gwen Loyd to sing, followed by Lincolnwood Library’s Director Susan Dove Lempke to read a story on making snowmen, then siblings Mia Cejovic and Luka Cejovic to sing and the Lincoln Hall Chorale to close off the show.
There wasn’t a particular tree lit up on Thursday evening, but all of the trees and bushes near the village hall and police department’s promenade were decorated with string lights.
Santa made a surprise entrance with the Lincolnwood Fire Department, and passed out candy canes with the fire department’s help and took photos with kids as they lined up.
Syeda Gavina of Lincolnwood brought her two kids, six-year-old Miles and five-year-old Sidney, to the holiday celebration. Syeda Gavina said she came to the celebration for the hot chocolate and that seeing Santa was a surprise. Miles Gavina said he wanted an iPad for Christmas. Sidney Gavina responded, “Toy kitty,” when asked the same question.
