More huts, more vendors, it will be more of everything at Peoria Heights’ ever-growing Kris Kringle Market on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2 at Tower Park.
The third annual Christmas event will run from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, featuring the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves by way of a Peoria Heights fire truck at 6 p.m.
“We’ll have jingle bells to hand out to all the good little boys and girls” to welcome Santa in proper fashion, said Barb Milaccio, board president of the Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce. As always, Santa will supervise the lighting of the Tower Park Christmas tree shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, guests will have their choice of holiday-themed wares, food and drink from approximately 15 vendors, accompanied by live music from the Peoria Barbershop Chorus.
The local Kringle Market now boasts six sturdy huts, thanks to a state grant secured through the Village of Peoria Heights. About a dozen students at Peoria Heights High School helped assemble and erect the structures on a frigid recent evening, and hope to build a few for next year’s event, making the market not just a fun but a teachable moment, said Milaccio.
The following day, Saturday, about 20 vendors will populate Tower Park, again decorated to the hilt, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa also will be making his rounds, with scheduled visits at 1 p.m. at Soderstrom Castle (4717 N. Grandview Drive); 1:30 p.m. at Brienzo’s (4450 N. Prospect Road); 2 p.m. at Trefzger’s (4416 N. Prospect Road), where he’ll be reading a book to children; 2:30 p.m. at Fired Up (4532 N. Prospect Road); 3 p.m. at Leaves ‘n Beans (4800 N. Prospect Road); and 3:30 p.m. at Exhibit A Gallery (4707 N. Prospect Road).
A new twist this year is a partnership between the Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce and Soderstrom Castle on Grandview Drive, which will be hosting an open house from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2, 9, 10, 17 and 20.
One of the most architecturally distinctive homes in all of central Illinois, the Castle will be decorated inside and out. There will be live music from local madrigal groups, a Rolan Johnson artwork exhibition, refreshments and more. Parking is available at the Country Club of Peoria Golf Course next door.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/castle-holiday-open-house-tickets-741535963027?aff=oddtdtcreator. All proceeds from this event will go to support the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, whose “And Love for Us All” ornaments will be available for purchase on Dec. 1 and 9. Tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait.
Finally, the annual Chocolate in the Heights celebration will be Saturday, Dec. 9, with participating shops and restaurants offering unique cocoa treats.
Make a full day of it, as there’s no shortage of holiday things to do in the Heights.
“It’s exciting,” said Milaccio. “We’re growing every year.”