Gingerbread Festival to Kick of the Holidays Downtown Downers Grove Nov. 23-25, 2018

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - Nov. 15, 2018 - PRLog -- Kick off the Holiday Season at the Gingerbread Festival, which is held Nov. 23-25, 2018 and offers something for all ages to enjoy. Enjoy one or all of the following: Gingerbread Story-time, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Gingerbread Man Hunt, vote for your favorite Gingerbread House, Complimentary visits with Santa in his Gingerbread House, Small Business Saturday, Gingerbucks Reward Card, Gingerbread Boy and Girl perusing town, Breakfast with Santa, Complimentary Carriage Rides & don't forget to vote for your favorite Holiday Window Display.

The Gingerbread Festival will begin with Santa's arrival on Friday November 23rd. The children are invited to attend "Gingerbread Story-time" at the Downers Grove Library at 3:45 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.) Space is limited. Immediately following story-time the Downers Grove South Marching Band will then lead the children through the streets of Downtown Downers Grove to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Village of Downers Grove. Santa will make his debut at the Tree Lighting Ceremony with the assistance of the girls and boys of Downers Grove lighting the way for Santa in the Fire Truck.

Come view our holiday tree decorated with handmade ornaments by the children of Downers Grove. At 4:30 p.m., Mayor Martin Tully and Santa will count down and bring a sparkle to the tree! After the tree is lit and the Christmas carols are sung, visit your favorite boutiques and restaurants, vote for your favorite Gingerbread House & Holiday Window Display at participating businesses.

Saturday, November 24th support your downtown Merchants with the Ninth Annual American Express Small Business Saturday. Downtown Downers Grove merchants will help you cross off your Christmas list with one-of-a-kind gifts with the sales of the season. Children can participate in the Gingerbread Man Hunt and earn a prize and enjoy a  complimentary visit with Santa in his Gingerbread House at Curtiss and Main from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, don't forget your camera. Make sure to vote for your favorite Gingerbread House & Holiday Window Display at participating businesses.

Sunday, November 25th, bring the whole family and enjoy breakfast with Santa  at one of the folloiwng: Pinecone Cottage Tea House & Catering (9:00 a.m. - 10:00a.m. 630-963-9130) Emmett's Brewing Co. (10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. 630-434-8500) or Another Round (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 630-963-0333). Reservations required and can be made by calling the individual restaurants. Children can participate in the Gingerbread Man Hunt and earn a prize. While you shop, take a break and enjoy a complimentary Carriage Ride 1-4pm and a complimentary visit with Santa in his Gingerbread House from 1-4pm. Do not forget this is the final day to vote for your favorite Gingerbread House at participating businesses. Can't make Breakfast with Santa on the 25th, don't worry, the jolly old man will be back for breakfast with Santa on December 2nd at Pinecone Cottage Tea House (9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. 630-93-9130) or Ballydoyle Irish Pub (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 630-969-0600).

Santa will be in his Gingerbread House (at the corner of Main and Curtiss) all season every Saturday & Sunday Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2018, from 1-4pm.

Shop & Dine Downtown Downers Grove this Holiday Season and you could win! Pick up your Gingerbucks Reward Card at a participating business. Receive a stamp for every $10 you spend at a participating business. Spend $100 at participating businesses and be entered for a chance to win $100.00 in downtown Downers Grove gift certificates, weekly!

For more information please visit http://www.downtowndg.org or call 630-725-0991.