Politics & Government

Festival to Light Up Barrington

The annual Festival of Lights is getting bigger and better than ever; it takes place Saturday, Dec. 1, around Town Hall and with Barrington's business community.

Barrington will look a lot more like Christmas on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 1.

Santa Claus and his elves will be at the government center for the annual Festival of Lights in the late afternoon. Santa will light the tree in front of the Town Hall at 5:30 pm.

Flower Power has already lined County Road with the holiday balls. Luminaries are expected to light up the Town Hall lawn and driveway and, optimistically, some streets around town as the festival winds down in the early evening.

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The elves will actually ride on a trolley from 1 to 5 pm and point out some of the activities going on at local businesses, said Holly Smith, owner of Hollies on the Avenue and co-director of the Barrington Business Association.

“There will be designated stops around town for people to get on and off,” Smith said.

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The association is sponsoring the Festival of Lights with the Barrington recreation and leisure services department.

A train ride will circle Town Hall from 3 to 4:30 pm. There will be gingerbread-cookie decorating, jingle bells and hot cocoa available at the same time.

Look for lots of entertainment as well at the Town Hall between 4 and 5:30 pm.

Holiday songs will be sung by the Barrington Middle School A Cappella Choir and the Barrington High School Choral Ensemble. Prestige Ballet and Arts Alive! of Barrington will provide dancers and performing artists.

During that same time, wreaths will go on sale and the Friends of the Bay Spring Community Center will sell luminary kits for people to take home and light up their sidewalks and driveways.

The sales of the kits also will help to raise funds for the continued improvement of the facility in West Barrington.

“We want to make things as fun as we can,” said Lois Coppolino, owner of Daisy Dig’ins and the other co-director of the business group.

Here is a list of businesses with special events:

Center Hardware: Santa will arrive at Center Ace Hardware at 2pm leaving at 4pm.

Sweete Shoppe : we will be offering complimentary samples of our holiday cupcakes and 15% off all holiday orders.

La Vita Bella :We are going to give candy canes and hot coca to kids. We are going to run a 24 days to Christmas theme. 24% off our products and gift certif. as well as booking $24 haircuts..

Style Unleashed : I am doing a picture frame craft and hot chocolate and treats.

ReMax Rivers Edge : Snack with Santa event at our office- Enjoy a treat and photo with Santa 2-5 pm. Coloring contest, photos and snacks!

Zu Zu’s  -20% off storewide-Barrington store only

Grapes & Grains Will host a winter sampling event for the adults from 1 to 5pm with treats for the kids. Don’t forget about the Passport savings in the Reserve Room and 10% of Champagne.

Feminine Fancies  Open House 10-5PM and Sun - 12-5PM. 25% off with ad from Times   Register to win $100. Gift Cert.

Barrington Books / The Studio  Will be open until 8pm on Saturday (usually close at 6)

Hollies – 15% off Mariposa

Daisy Dig’ins – Bay View Chorus will perform at 3 pm. Mystery Discount and Treats


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