Santa was more than welcome Saturday in Oak Lawn as he greeted hundreds of youngsters from his seat at the Village Green.
The annual “Santa on the Green” was a huge hit with parents and kids alike. The cold temperatures and the snowy landscape made a perfect setting for Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Long lines continued from the beginning and until the end of this year’s Santa on the Green. Santa and Mrs. Claus had visitors arriving continuously at the Village Green gazebo.
They were also joined by Elf the Stiltwalker, the Grinch, reindeer, a polar bear, Frosty the Snowman, elves, Princess Elsa and Olaf, and an assortment of other characters.
Parents and relatives took photos of their children with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free hot chocolate was served throughout the day, courtesy of the Whistle Sports Bar & Grill. Inside a spacious heated tent, the Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123 choir performed holiday songs.
All five schools from the district — Hannum, Sward, Kolmar, Hometown and Covington — participated in the event.
Santa’s Christmas Cafe provided refreshments at the Oak Lawn Library, which is next door to the Village Green. Kids at the library were also treated to hot cocoa and they made holiday crafts before returning to Santa on the Green.
Santa on the Green was also combined with the tree lighting ceremony, which took place at the conclusion of the event. A large crowd was also on hand, including Mayor Terry Vorderer, who wore a Santa hat and provided the countdown. Then the lights turned on the large tree that is found between the library and Municipal Hall.
Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) helped to organize the event and was appreciative of the large turnout.
“This is the fourth straight year that we have held this the next Saturday after Thanksgiving,” Mallo said. “This is great. It’s cold but festive. We moved the date because the kids were out of school before and were not all able to all take part in the choir or volunteer. But now they are all available because they are back in school. This works out better.”
Police Chief Daniel Vittorio said this was a big event as he noticed the large crowd.
“This might be the coldest one we have had,” Vittorio said. “A few years ago it was 50 degrees and it was kind of weird. Maybe this (the weather) brings more people out.”
Parents were having as much fun as the kids. Stephanie Tisza attended the event along with her daughter, Maeve, 4, and her sister, Samantha Tisza. The Oak Lawn residents said they were having a great time. They said this was the third straight year they attended.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of fun,” Stephanie said. “I like the Grinch the best.”
Her daughter was more fond of the reindeer that was strolling through the Village Green.
They were on hand to visit Santa and to listen to the District 123 choir. They also enjoyed some hot chocolate.
Two carolers also performed classic holiday songs and Christmas carols. They also performed at the tree lighting. Vorderer was joined by his wife, Linda, and Mallo for the tree lighting countdown.
“Merry Christmas,” the mayor yelled to the crowd.
