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ADDISON – Santa Claus is coming to Addison.
He and his friends, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, will be in town Friday evening for the village’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Addison has hosted its lighting for at least 25 years, said Doree Krage, the village’s assistant director of community relations.
While Friendship Plaza is already decked out for the holidays with various light displays, Krage said there’s something special about seeing the tree inside the Village Hall rotunda when it’s lit.
“Seeing the rotunda all dressed up in holiday lights is really stunning,” she said.
The tree will be lit by Addison Mayor Rich Veenstra, Miss Addison Samantha Slater, and the big man himself, Santa Claus, with his wife, Mrs. Claus.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with visits with Santa and his special guests. These will continue until the Addison Trail High School Shades of Blue ensemble and students from Stone and Lake Park elementary schools perform carols in the Addison Village Board of Trustees board room.
“Hearing the kids with the Christmas carols really gets you in the mood for Christmas,” said Krage, whose favorite part of the event is the children’s performance.
The tree will be lit about 8 p.m. during the carolers’ final song. Visits with Santa will continue after the tree is lit.
For those who don’t want to squeeze their way into the board room, the performance will be broadcast through speakers throughout Village Hall. It also will be shown on Addison Community TV during December.
Sleigh rides will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. outside Village Hall, taking guests around Friendship Plaza and the village’s Historical District campus.
The event will feature plenty of treats, from cups of hot chocolate from the Kiwanis Club of Addison to hot dogs from Muggs ‘N Manor and doughnuts from Clyde’s Delicious Donuts to popcorn from the Knights of Columbus. Uncle Harry’s Ice Cream also will sell seasonal ice cream and pastries.
Muggs ‘N Manor owner Dean Stathopoulos, who serves as the chairman of the village’s Special Events Commission, said providing the free hot dogs is a small way to give back to the community that has supported his business for the past 16 years.
“It’s just something small we can do to help out,” he said. “It’s our thank you for everyone else helping us out all the time.”
During his years on the commission, he’s noticed community involvement with the annual tree lighting has grown, and more and more people attend every year.
“After we’ve gone through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Cyber Week, this kind of gets everyone back to the basics of (the Christmas season),” Stathopoulos said.
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If you go
What: Christmas Tree Lighting
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Addison Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza
Cost: Free