Strohacker: 'Celebrate the Season' full of community spirit

The weather might have been cold and frightful on Friday night, but the holiday spirit was warm and bright in downtown Genoa.

The Genoa Chamber would like to recognize and thank everyone who came out Dec. 7 to “Celebrate the Season” with us. It was a wonderful evening of hometown traditions and community spirit. Santa came to town in the Jingle Bell Parade and hundreds of people enjoyed free activities throughout the evening up and down Main Street.

At the annual tree-lighting ceremony, Mayor Mark Vicary thanked everyone for coming out and announced all of the contest winners. Santa was on hand to greet and give gifts to all of our contest winners.

Congratulations to the coloring contest winners: Mason Martinez, kindergarten; Marisa Poegel, first grade; Naia Martinez, second grade; Isabelle Haberkorn, third grade; Sophia Stipher, fourth grade; and Kylie Lankford, fifth grade. The Merry Main Street award (best decorated business) went to Heartland Bank this year. Be sure to stop by and see their Charlie Brown window display this season.

The winners of the Gingerbread House contest sponsored by Genoa Pharmacy were Jackson Renwick, first place; Molly Johnson, second place; and Presley and Paxton Meyer; third place. Thank you to all of our contest participants. Congratulations on a job well done!

Be sure to visit the Santa House on Main Street in downtown Genoa, sponsored by First Midwest Bank. Santa will be at his house ready for visitors from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 15, 22, and 23. Bring your camera for pictures. There is no cost to see Santa and four-footed friends are welcome, too. Children also can write letters to Santa and put them in the mail slot at his house.

The Genoa Chamber could not put on these community events without our fantastic sponsors. Thank you to all of our Celebrate the Season sponsors: Alan Browne Chevy, First Midwest Bank, City of Genoa, Northwestern Medicine, American Family Insurance Manny Pena Agency, Mark Carlson State Farm, Hurley and Volk Orthodontics, Custom Aluminum Products, Resource Bank, Napa Auto Parts, Remax Classic, Genoa Public Library, Northern Rehab, Walnut Street Daycare, Lynn’s Carpet Cleaning, Genoa-Kingston United Way, Prairie State Winery, Hill’s Tap, Tobinson’s Ace Hardware, Genoa Fitness Center and the Genoa Park District.

We would also like to thank and recognize the city of Genoa and Public Works Department, the Genoa-Kingston Fire Department, the Genoa Police Department and the Genoa Police Auxiliary. We could not do our events without their support and partnership.

The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce would like to wish you a spectacular holiday season! We are grateful for our supportive business and community members that continue to invest in and support Genoa and all of DeKalb County. Be sure to support your small businesses and SHOP LOCAL!

May you have peace and joy this holiday season and wishing you the very best in the new year.

• Cortney Strohacker is executive director of the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce.