Westmont, Illinois -- Date Issued: December 21, 2021
“As we’ve continued to navigate life with COVID, we’ve worked hard to make adjustments to our Holly Days programming and events to allow for fun community activities while keeping safety in mind,” said Westmont Communications Director Larry McIntyre, who is the Holly Days Committee Co-Chair along with Dustin Kleefisch from the Westmont Park District. “We had some new events and new partnerships along with some updated traditional favorite events. We want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Holly Days Winter Festival.”
New in 2021 was the Holly Jolly Trolley, which had more than 140 people participate in its inaugural year. Also, about 70 people participated in this year’s Santa Sleigh Visits, which is double last year’s turnout. Both events were coordinated and hosted by the Westmont Park District.
For the first time, the Holly Days Committee partnered with the Westmont High School Boosters to assist with the promotion of their annual holiday craft fair fundraiser as part of the Holly Days Festival. The WHS Boosters reported one of their best year’s ever. And later that same day, the Holly Days Parade, Tree Lighting, and fireworks program had a record turnout.
Additionally, Westmont Special Events hosted several holiday events including the Finding Frosty Contest, the Holly Days Home Decorating Contest, the Downtown Window Painting Program, and a Winter Scene Painting Class. More than 1000 people participated in these events which provided fun for all ages.
“We had a total of seven businesses participate in the winter window painting program and then 17 people signed up for our painting class,” said Creative Arts Network Coordinator Jenny Babyar. “In 2022, we are planning to grow our efforts even further with more painting class opportunities and we are considering downtown business window murals for St. Patrick’s Day for the Spring and then a Patriotic Theme for the Summer starting with Memorial Day and continuing through the 4th of July.” For more information, contact Westmont Special Events at wsec@westmontevents.com. Photos from this year’s murals can be found in the Village of Westmont Photo Gallery.
Following are the results from the Finding Frosty Contest and the Holly Days Home Decorating Contest:
FINDING FROSTY CONTEST
Over the course of seven days, Westmont Special Events provided daily clues regarding where their Frosty decoration could be found. Participants would solve the clue, find frosty, then take a picture with Frosty and post it on the Westmont Events Facebook page. Ten families completed the challenge with a perfect score and tied for first place. Second place was a four-way tie.
FINDING FROSTY CONTEST - 1st PLACE
Anders Family
Babiak Family
Boyles-Hornsberger Family
Cesario Family
Dorner Family
Edmeier Family
Fiandaca Family
Hoffman Family
Johnson Family
Kristin Marie
FINDING FROSTY CONTEST - 2nd PLACE
Anfuso Family
Baldwin Family
Cambron Family
Dell Family
HOME DECORATING CONTEST
Numerous homes signed up to participate in this contest and citizens were asked to vote online. Over 50 votes were cast. Thank you to everyone who participated. Following are the top three vote recipients.
1st PLACE - 266 Votes
THE MILLER FAMILY at 634 Champlaine Court
2nd PLACE - 53 Votes
THE MAJEWSKI FAMILY at 20 S. Adam Street
3rd PLACE - 33 Votes
THE ANDERS FAMILY at 402 N. Grant Road
Be sure to check out some of the other beautifully decorated homes that signed up for the contest.
634 Champlaine Court
828 Oakwood Drive
149 Prairie Drive
402 N. Grant Road
106 N. Hudson Street
23 N. Grant Street
20 S. Adam Street
227 E. Richmond Street
214 S. Warwick Avenue
Thank you to all of our volunteers, staff, and host agencies who helped coordinate this year’s Holly Days Festival.
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