Community Corner

Celebrating A Small Town Christmas

Christmas on the Square date set.

Everything is set. The Kris Kringle Market is arranged, the carolers will be on hand and there will be lots of hot chocolate.

There's just one thing that can't be planned as Huntley prepares for this year's Christmas on the Square.

The weather.

Find out what's happening in Huntleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Christmas on the Square, now in its third year, has fallen on bitterly cold days, even for early December.

"It's a held rain or shine, it doesn't matter the weather, " Trustee Pam Fender said. "I've stood out there in four degree weather but the people come."

Find out what's happening in Huntleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Huntley residents bundle themselves up to come out to a homespun Christmas celebration that includes Santa arriving on a fire engine and the lighting of the town's official holiday tree. Last year, between 300 to 400 people attended, organizers said.

This year it will be held on Dec. 4 with a full day of events planned, said Barbra Read, administrative assistant to the village manager. She organizes the celebration.

Huntley co-sponsors the day with the Huntley Jaycees, Friends of the LibraryX, the Huntley Park District and local churches. This year, Christmas on the Square has gotten bigger, Read said.

It's growing to be a really nice event, she said.  The village tweaks it every year. There will be free family games, hayrides, free photos with Santa, the Kris Kringle Market, kids crafts and reading of classic Christmas stories, she said.

"It's fun and there is a lot of things for families to do," Fender said.

Christmas on the Square is "just a small town" celebration, Read said.


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