Community Corner
Community Harvest, Holiday Parades, Santa Run
The week ahead is packed with holiday happenings in both Crystal Lake and Cary.
In addition to celebrating our country's Thanksgiving tradition, there are several local traditions planned that will brighten your week and fill you with holiday cheer.
Thursday, Nov. 28: Crystal Lake Community Harvest
The Crystal Lake Community Harvest is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's harvest is located at the old Oak Industries building at 100 S. Main St. (attendees should enter from the north entrance to the building, which is located off Crystal Lake Avenue), Crystal Lake.
For the past few weeks, many area organizations and businesses have been hosting food collection drives. Those groups - and even individuals - began dropping of the donations at the Community Harvest site this past Friday. Drop-offs will continue this week, Monday through Wednesday.
On Thanksgiving morning, volunteers from throughout the community arrive to help pack and sort all the donations, which will be used to stock the Crystal Lake Food Pantry throughout the winter months. Last year, nearly 1,000 people turned out to help.
Friday, Nov. 29: Festival of Lights Parade, Downtown Crystal Lake
Santa's leaves the North Pole for a few hours to join in the Festival of Lights Parade, which starts at 7 p.m. in Downtown Crystal Lake.
The parade includes 50 participants: lighted, decorated floats, marchers, music, and Santa riding in his horse-drawn sleigh. At the end, Santa will light the Christmas tree and begin visits with children at his house in the Brink Street Market.
The parade starts the Crystal Lake Municipal Complex, 100 W. Woodstock and travels west, turns south on North Caroline Street, east on Crystal Lake Avenue, north on Grant Street, east on Woodstock Street, south on Williams Street (same route as last year).
Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Sunday, Dec. 1: Kiwanis Santa Run for Kids
This year's Santa Run is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, with the starting line at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St. in downtown Crystal Lake.
Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
More information here.
Sunday, Dec. 1: 17th Annual Merry Cary Parade and Festival
The Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce has announced this year's Merry Cary Holiday and Festival is scheduled for Sunday, December 1.
The parade starts at 1 p.m., and the festival runs from noon to 3:30 p.m. in downtown Cary.
Following, many free activities are planned including horse-drawn sleigh rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, and performances by local school children. Santa will be visiting with local children at Cary Travel Express, located at 9 Jandus Road, until 3:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras for photos.
More information here.
Have a great week!
Stephanie Price, editor, Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch
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