Santa Lands On Village Green This Saturday

Santa has been spotted in the Oak Lawn area and is due to land in the village this Saturday for the annual Santa On the Green festival.

The free family fest kicks off with a mini-parade from the where Santa will ride to the gazebo on top of a fire engine, along with Mrs. Claus (the wind beneath Santa's wings) and their close personal friend, Frosty.

Santa will be taking children’s orders and posing for pictures in the gazebo from 1 to 5 p.m., so bring your camera.

Hosted by the and the Special Events Commission, the holiday celebration features you soldier and elf stilt walkers, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Kids can take a ride on the “mini” Polar Express, catch a flight on the jet racers, go turkey bowling and or toss a wreath on ‘Ring the Reindeer.’

The weather forecast calls for showers, but there is a warm, heated hospitality tent to huddle under, as well as complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and egg nog. All Around Amusements will be selling funnel cakes, deep-fried Snickers bars and corn dogs.

From 2 to 3 p.m., the choruses will serenade fest goers with some Christmas carols.

Although the entire celebration is free, members of the Oak Lawn Municipal Employees Credit Union are asking guests to bring canned and non-perishable food items, as well as gift cards to Jewel, Dominicks and Target, to help replenish community food pantries where demand for food assistance has been at an all-time high this past year. A collection box will be set up at Santa On the Green.

Santa On the Green, located north of the Oak Lawn Public Library at Dumke Drive and Cook Avenue, takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. The holiday celebration is free.