In all of the years that Stacey Crossman of Kildeer has been attending Santa’s Arrival and Fireworks event in Deer Park, never has the weather been so balmy that her children and friends could sit on top of a car to watch the fireworks as if it were the Fourth of July.
“This is the warmest that it’s ever been,” said Crossman, who attended with friends and family. “But we bring lots of blankets and hot chocolate.”
The evening weather on Saturday was clear and almost 60 degrees. Still, it was breezy and sometimes felt cold, but the event seemed more crowded than usual, perhaps due to the milder weather for what is maybe Lake County’s first major Santa Claus and tree lighting event of the holiday season.
This year’s event at Deer Park Town Center also included a Stuff a Squad Car feature through which new, unwrapped toys were collected for a Toys for Tots drive.
Children could receive free magical reindeer food for Christmas Eve. Photos with Santa Claus had a long line, but it was also swift. Families from many Lake and Cook County towns attended, including Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove.
“Santa’s Arrival and Fireworks continues to be a signature holiday moment and one our community looks forward to each year,” Deer Park Town Center marketing manager Angelika Fejklowicz said. “It sets the tone for a season filled with joy, and helps bring our neighbors together.”
Riding in a Lake Zurich fire engine, decorated with holiday lights, was Avery Bruno, 7, of Lake Zurich, who won the event’s annual contest to ride with Santa.
Avery got to flip an oversized red switch to illuminate the holiday tree with Santa. He told the audience that it felt, “amazing” to have the opportunity.
“I’m super proud. So proud. Very excited,” Avery’s father, Anthony Bruno, said.
Rob and Lauren Scaramella of Mundelein waited for Santa Claus near the tree with their children, Eva, 6, and Isla, 3.
Eva hopes Santa Claus will bring her “Elsa LEGOs,” based on the popular “Frozen” animated brand series.
“I love the movie,” she said.
Isla would like Santa to bring “super kitties.”
Fireworks concluded the event to honor Veterans Day and military members in the wake of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Ron and Sabina Sershon of Palatine attended with family.
“Thank you for your service,” Sabina Sershon said to veterans and military members.
“We appreciate everything that they do for this country,” Ron Sershon added.
Stacey Crossman said to those serving or who have served the United States, “We appreciate the work that they do and what they’ve done for our country. It’s amazing all of the things that they have sacrificed so we can have the freedoms we have today.”
