Dixon Christmas Walk draws shoppers and revelers

Santa Claus

DIXON — Shoppers filled the sidewalks and some north-south side streets during the Christmas Walk on Friday evening.

The weather was unseasonably warm and dry. Evening temps were in the 40s and there was little wind.

Early on, the crowd occupied the length of First Street in the downtown, the heart of the town’s business district. People browsed and shopped.

The Next Picture Show gallery had a number of people taking in the exhibit. Youngsters congregated at the Plan 2 Proper building — Santa was due to arrive at the Living Well Church while the McBride Agency served up hot chocolate

Festivities began before sunset in the circle drive at KSB Hospital, where revelers gathered early to see the lighting of the Christmas tree. Chella Hay, age 4, smashed the button along with Santa Claus that illuminated the red and green bulbs adorning the pine tree erected in the heart of the drive.

Then after some shenanigans involving the Grinch, who snagged Santa’s sack filled with toys, the parade was off. People dressed in festive attire followed the cart that carried the Grinch and the fire engine that served as Santa’s transport. A public works snow plow festooned with lights joined the procession.

Downtown there were musicians — busking saxophonists one one street and the brass section from the Dixon Municipal Band on another. There was a blacksmith demonstration while, nearby, horse-drawn wagons took on passengers and ferried them up and down the streets.


Troy Taylor

Troy E. Taylor

Was named editor for Saukvalley.com and the Gazette and Telegraph in 2021. An Illinois native, he has been a reporter or editor in daily newspapers since 1989.