Keeping warm at Dickens in Dundee
West Dundee officials will take some of the chill out of the Dickens in Dundee festival, planned for Friday through Sunday, Dec. 3-5.
Instead of holding events under a warming tent in Grafelman Park, they will be in the warmth of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, just across Route 72.
For those who attend, the change will only mean a few more steps. But for village trustees, the festival's sponsors, the new location will mean a savings of $1,000, said Joe Cavallaro, West Dundee village manager.
“That's how much we pay for renting the tent and heating it for two days,” Cavallaro said. “Many of the other activities, such as the Festival of Trees, Santa's Petting Zoo and the Community Giving Tree, will still be in the park.”
Santa and his craft-making party will be in the church from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. The church will also be a place where hot refreshments, which are usually sold in the warming tent, will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A gingerbread house-making party will be in the First United Methodist Church that same day and during those same hours.
Dickens in Dundee begins with East Dundee's holiday tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at the Depot along North River Street. An hour later, West Dundee trustees will turn on the lights of their holiday tree at the village hall, 102 S. Second St.
The living windows display will be presented from 6-8 p.m. Friday in businesses along Route 72 in downtown West Dundee. Storefront windows will be decorated with holiday themes.
On Saturday, the Spirit of Christmas Parade will start at 10 a.m. at the West Dundee village hall. Santa and his elves will march east to North River Street.
Santa's petting zoo will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The park will also be the site where Dundee Lions Club members will sell Christmas trees. Sales will continue until all the trees are sold.
The Dickens in Dundee Festival has a 23-year tradition in Dundee Township. With help from local organizations, such as the Dundee Township Historical Society and dozens of volunteers, it has ushered in the holidays for a few generations of local residents.
“Dickens costs less than $4,000 to put on,” Cavallaro said. “It's worth it because it has a good reputation of being a family festival many people look forward to.”
The complete schedule of events is available at dickensindundee.com.
<p><b>If you go</b></p>
<p><b>What:</b> Dickens in Dundee, a three-day holiday festival</p>
<p><b>When: </b>6 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 to 6 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3-5</p>
<p><b>Where:</b> Various locations in downtown East and West Dundee; many activites center in Grafelman Park and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Main and Fifth streets</p>
<p><b>Cost:</b> Free, but there is a fee for some activities</p>
<p><b>Details:</b> dickensindundee.org or (847) 551-3800</p>