Count on double the holiday fun this year as the Kris Kringle Market in the Heights, by popular demand, expands to two weekends.
The Market returns to Peoria Heights’ Tower Park, 1222 E. Kingman Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m. this coming Friday, Nov. 29, highlighted by Santa and Mrs. Claus’s annual arrival by fire truck and the lighting of the community Christmas tree. The holiday festivities pick back up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, and then again on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, same times as the previous weekend.
Admission to these Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce events is free and the public is more than welcome.
A record 32 vendors will sell their wares during one or both of the weekends, doing so from the six classic holiday huts acquired by the Heights Chamber of Commerce over the last couple of years, six rented and decorated storage containers that are new this year, and pop-up tents. Expect to find holiday-themed gifts, foods and candies, artwork of various kinds, quilts, jewelry, wreaths, candles, etc.
Meanwhile, Bust’d Brewing and the 33 Room will be offering up holiday refreshments, and food will be provided by Swanee’s Soft Pretzels and The Station food truck. Café Santa Rosa will have a booth selling its coffees and other treats, as well.
On the first Friday, bells will be distributed to the children in attendance so that Santa can hear his way to Tower Park. Following the traditional singalongs and the lighting of the tree, there will be an opportunity for a meet-and-greet and photo with Santa near the Tower Park fountain.
There also will be a Tree of Well Wishes for people to write their season’s sentiments and attach them to the branches, and children wishing to communicate their Christmas wish lists to Santa can drop off a letter at the North Pole mailbox on site. Everyone who does and leaves a proper home address will receive a reply from the Jolly Old Elf himself.
Expect to see Santa and his better half out and about in Downtown Peoria Heights on Prospect Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 30, which of course is Small Business Saturday. Come to town and make a day of it. The second weekend will brag special guests The Grinch and Frosty the Snowman.
Finally, the annual Chocolate in the Heights is Saturday, Dec. 14, with participating shops and restaurants offering chocolate-inspired goodies for all to enjoy.
There’s no place like the Heights during the holidays!