Children talked about what they want for Christmas, parents discussed the traditions they want to pass on to the next generation and Santa Claus made it clear he always has time for every child as Waukegan’s holiday season formally began with a variety of events over the weekend.
Santa arrived at the city’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony before greeting people at the Waukegan Public Library. Though he said he is very busy making gifts for the world’s youngsters, he can still find time to receive their input in person.
“I always find time for all the children in every town,” Santa said as he stepped off a truck driven by Waukegan firefighters.
Liliana Alvarez, an Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School fourth grader, said she wants a doll for Christmas. Her brother, Leon, a third grade student at Cooke, said he hopes for Legos.
Liliana and Leon said they planned to see Santa later at the library. Their attention was focused on nine members of Mariachi Estrellas, a mariachi band consisting of middle and high school students from the city’s public schools, playing holiday music.
Dozens of people gave Mayor Ann Taylor a countdown before she lit the city’s Christmas tree Saturday at Jack Benny Plaza in Waukegan in the midst of a day with a number of holiday events throughout the downtown area setting the season in full swing.
Built around the tree lighting Saturday was a walk beforehand sponsored by the Waukegan Park District, the city organized Kriss Kringle Artist Market with 15 craft vendors selling their creations and events at the library for those of all ages.
Leon and Liliana participated in the Go Waukegan walk with their grandparents before picking a spot to listen to the music and watch the tree lighting. Their grandmother, Irene Alvarez, said they enjoyed the exercise before the ceremony.
“We like seeing all the lights and being with all the people,” Alvarez said. “I (also) came to see my granddaughter play with Mariachi Estrellas.”
Spending time partaking in some of the events at the library before going to Jack Benny Plaza for the tree lighting, Taylor said she got good feelings participating in the initial events of the holiday season.
“This brings back memories of my childhood,” she said “For children, it’s hope about the presents they’ll get for Christmas. For adults, it’s hope of passing traditions on to the next generation. For all of us, it’s hope for the future.”
Waukegan Community Unit School District Board of Education President Brandon Ewing came to the lighting with his family. He said the event has become a family tradition. They, too, are filled with hope this season.
Nehemiah Ewing, Ewing’s son and an Edith Smith Middle School eighth grader, said he enjoys seeing the lights and the people.
“Coming here and seeing everybody is really nice,” Nehemiah Ewing said.
Aviana Artega, 4, may have had the best view at the event sitting atop the shoulders of her father, Marcos. She was not sure what she wanted for Christmas. She was content seeing Santa get off the fire truck.
“It feels incredible,” Artega said, referring to Aviana sitting on his shoulders. “She’s up here seeing all the people and watching Santa Claus.”
Sandwiched between the tree lighting Saturday afternoon and evening at the library a block away were a variety of events. They included the market and a variety of crafts.
Tiffany Verzani, the library’s executive director, said this was the start of a number of events at the library in December.
‘We’re having a lot of programs all month for the holiday season,” she said. “We’re taking collections of small items — hats, socks and toiletries. They’re free to those who need them in the community.”
Inside the large meeting room were 15 vendors composing the Kriss Kringle Artist Market, like Sofia Saldivar selling items crocheted like a yeti — a mythical creature from the Himalayan Mountains. There were also items like hats.
At a table with a sewing machine was Fiona Tranter, the founder of Loopy Connections, a not for profit organization which makes quilts. She was organizing a community quilt where people made a patch which will later be turned into a quilt.
“This is a chance for the public to make a block we’ll sew into a quilt,” she said. “We’re going to donate it to a shelter in Waukegan.”
