April 25, 2024
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Volunteer efforts begin for Chris Kringle Market in Ottawa

City announces parking restrictions, road closures for upcoming holiday festivals

By Michael Urbanec

Dean Alcorn (left) and Jake Ewers (right) are among the volunteers putting together the huts at the Jordan Block in preparation for the Chris Kringle Market. (Michael Urbanec - murbanec@shawmedia.com)

Preparation is underway for this year’s Chris Kringle Market in Ottawa.

The market will take place across four weekends beginning Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 19.

Ottawa city officials also are prepping residents to be aware of downtown road closures and events. The Festival of Lights Parade is scheduled 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, starting at the intersection of Jackson and La Salle streets, coinciding with the lighting of Washington Square.

The parade will proceed south on La Salle Street to Main Street then turn east on Main Street ending at Santa’s hut on the Jordan block (100 block of West Main Street). The parade will be followed by fireworks and lighting of the Jordan block Christmas tree.

After fireworks, the Jordan block Christmas tree was a popular location to pose for holiday photos. (Tom Sistak)

To accommodate the parade, parking will be restricted from 4 to 7 p.m. at the following locations: the south side of the 200 block of West Jackson Street; the east side of La Salle Street from Jackson to Main streets; and the south side of the 100 block of West Main Street.

The following road closures will be in place for the Chris Kringle Market events, which are scheduled Nov. 26, 27 and 28 and Dec. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19.

Court Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 28; then again Saturday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 5; Saturday, Dec. 11 through Sunday, Dec. 12; and Saturday, Dec. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 19.

The 100 block of West Jackson Street will be closed beginning 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, through 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23. The upper parking lot of the Jordan block will be closed 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, through 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23.

Ottawa High School property will not be available for viewing of the Festival of Lights fireworks and no one will be allowed on the grounds during the fireworks.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to take visitors at the Santa hut in the Jordan block 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18; and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd gathered along La Salle Street during the Festival of Lights parade in Ottawa. This year's parade is scheduled 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26.