“Holiday Lights in Homewood” 2013 Boasts Unique Shopping, Outdoor Ice Skating and Spectacular Tree-Lighting December 6 and 7

Print“Holiday Lights in Homewood” weekend festival celebrates the season with a tree lighting ceremony, outdoor marketplace, unique shopping opportunities and a free synthetic ice skating rink on December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and December 7 from 12 to 8 p.m.Homewood is also proud to launch “Holiday Pop-Up Shops” where indie-craft vendors take over empty storefronts every Saturday November 30 through December 21. In addition, Homewood announces the premiere of a window walking tour  with a “Winter Wonderland” theme created by professional window designer, Margot Hallahan, whose designs have been seen at former Marshal Fields and Navy Pier. The window walking tour is unveiled onNovember 30th. “Holiday Lights in Homewood” is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com

“This is a magical time to visit Homewood,” said Public Relations and Marketing Director Rachael Jones. “The ice rink and the outdoor shopping areas make the whole experience festive and fun. And we are very excited to launch ‘Holiday Pop-Up Shops’ spaces for indie crafters. This trend is sweeping the nation and Homewood is proud to be the first in the South Suburbs to offer shoppers this opportunity to find one-of-a-kind items that are not in any mall. We are also excited to introduce a new tradition – the Holiday Window Walking Tour, featuring whimsical and bright holiday vignettes to compliment a whole new shopping experience for residents and visitors to downtown Homewood.  It really is one-stop holiday fun.”

Indie-craft vendors from across the Chicagoland area offer their unique wares in “Holiday Pop-Up Shops”. Vacant stores waiting for occupancy will be activated with unique collections from multiple vendors featuring everything from the traditional to the funky. These spaces serve as incubators for aspiring entrepreneurs who have unique one-of-a-kind gift-giving items. These Pop-Up retail spaces have happened in New York, Chicago and other major metropolitan areas. “Pop-Up Shops” are open every Saturday, November 30 through December 21. For locations and vendor offerings, visit  www.HomeSweetHomewood.com.

The “Holiday Lights” weekend begins at 6 p.m. with musical trolley rides through thedowntown Homewood business district. Merchants are offering children’s craft activities, holiday hors d’oeuvres and special “Holiday Lights” discounts available only during the weekend. At 7 p.m. the annual tree lighting ceremony begins at Irwin Park, 18120 Highland Ave. Participants can enjoy the splendor of the tree, warm their hands by the bon fire and welcome Santa on his traditional fire engine arrival.

“Holiday Lights” also boasts an outdoor market on Hickory Road, featuring live reindeer, costumed carolers, and ice sculpting demonstrations by Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures beginning at7:15 p.m.  Foundation 153 is selling premium-grade Fraser Firs from Michigan with easy pick-up and loading assistance. Sales begin as early as 3 p.m. on Friday, December 6.

Advocate South Suburban Hospital is hosting the outdoor skating rink on Martin Avenue, just south of  Ridge Road on Friday December 6 and Saturday December 7. The rink is fully staffed and provides skates for all ages at no charge. The rink is synthetic ice and is open regardless of weather conditions.

 On Saturday, December 7, the ice skating and shopping continues from noon to 8 p.m. and visitors can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides around downtown Homewood from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Stores continue to offer art projects for children, including a scavenger hunt to find clues that lead to a magical gingerbread village, a replication of downtown Homewood created by Flossmoor resident Janet Gustafson. This unique gingerbread village is open from 4 to 7 p.m.at  1424 Braeburn Rd., Flossmoor. Gustafson’s villages have been seen on ABC/WLS and WGN.  Admission to the gingerbread village is free. Visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com for complete details.

Also new for 2013, Homewood unveils a holiday window walking tour to see storefront displays designed in whimsical “Winter Wonderland”-themed vignettes beginning Saturday,November 30. This walking tour covers approximately 1 mile.  Each window is be created by Margot Hallahan, a designer who has worked on holiday window displays from Marshal Fields to Navy Pier’s Winter Wonderland.

“Holiday Lights in Homewood” is December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and December 7 from 12 to 8 p.m. in downtown Homewood. “Holiday Pop-Up Shops” spring up every Saturday November 30 through December 21. Homewood’s “Winter Wonderland”- themed windows are unveiled on November 30th. “Holiday Lights in Homewood” is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com

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“Holiday Lights in Homewood” is sponsored by the Village of Homewood, Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, Homewood-Flossmoor Lions Club, Homewood Fire Department, and members of the Downtown Homewood Business Association.

ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD

The Village of Homewood is a quiet suburban village located just 25 miles south of Chicago’s Loop. Recently named the third “Best Place to Live” out of 25 U.S. communities by CNN Money.com, Homewood is also listed as one of the top most livable metro-area suburbs by Forbes.com. Nationally-acclaimed elementary and high school districts as well as parochial schools, an award-winning park district, and commuter-friendly downtown with Amtrak and Metra stops and convenient exit ramps off I-80 and I-294 are just a few of Homewood’s amenities. Homewood takes pride in hosting over 60 outdoor festivals yearly and is anticipating expanded downtown growth, including a boutique hotel opening in spring 2014. Homewood is acknowledge by Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and the Chaddick Institute/DePaul University as a creative community with a high standard for quality of life and an abundance of amenities for young families. For more information visitwww.homesweethomewood.com.