FPR Holiday Walk 2022

2022 Walk

Presented by

Clockw ise from top le : Attendees take rides on a horse drawn carriage; Jackson Regan, the dog, says hello to Santa Claus; Hannah Miller per forms in the window at Schauer’s Hardware; Juliet Harring ton, 8, of Forest Park, walks through fake snow inside of Schauer’s Hardware on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.

Friday, Dec. 2, Christmas comes to Madison Street

Business owners leverage small town charm to attract customers

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

To capitalize on the holiday season, Jeff Sukoski at Famous Liquors has set up a display of holiday beers — Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing, Fistmas (with ginger and orange peel) from Revolution, Freezing Season from Flying Dog, another Christmas Ale from Anchor, Jingle Bales from Spiteful Brew ing, Holiday Ale from New Belgium, and Christmas Porter from Three Floyds Heidi Vance and Jayne Ertel, co-owners of Team Blonde have put together gift items that can be curated. For example:

Charcuterie board, charcuterie book, oven mitt, and dish towel; candles that work to end human trafficking, gorgeous glass match holders, and a meditation book; a journal made from recycled books, candle poured in a recycled wine bottle, and a handbag made from recycled innertubes.

Business owners up and down Madison Street are attempting to surf the consumer spending wave that seems to always happen between Black Friday and January 1. The National Retail Federation “expects Americans to spend 6% to 8% more this 2022 holiday season, bringing overall spending to between $942.6 and $960.4 billion.”

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

HOLIDAY WALK

from page 11

That’s why the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce does everything it can to transform Madison Street into the kind of winter wonderland that will attract both residents and out of towners to the small businesses between Harlem and the Desplaines River, and the village supports the ef fort by hanging ice blue banners on the 70 lamp poles along the street and putting up a close to 30-foot Christmas tree in Constitution Court.

According to the website MoneyMentor, each American family plans to spend an average of $833 this holiday season which is slightly above the 10-year average.

Business owners are attempting to take advantage of that urge to spend by offering more than just presents to put under the tree. At the Brown Cow, for example, Connie Brown is featuring gingerbread, egg nog, peppermint and pumpkin ice cream.

Jacques Shalo at Kribi is offering seasonal drinks — Winter Morning Chai, Elf Of f the Shelf Matcha, Coquito Latte and Peppermint Mocha — to get his coffee shop into the holiday spirit.

“Grinch is what we are calling a holiday shot special,” said Anthony Crawford, the general manager of O’Sullivan’s Pub-

“Elements Massage is offering a buy one, get one 50% of f deal on gift cards,” Jean Erhardt, the owner, re ported.

Chris Everett the president of Everett Wealth Solutions is giving clients a 20% discount on financial planning fees “before

my’s Place, is joining the other restaurant owners in town in booking Christmas parties.

Pineapple Dance Studio is offering a free Zumba class to all new clients during the month of December.

Empowering Gardens is also offering not a product but an experience. On Dec. 10 Ana and Richard are hosting an ornament painting session for kids. “This is a perfect winter holiday easy craft for your child,” said Ana, “that can become a meaningful fun decoration. The session includes supplies and a snack and will cost $10 person.

Erich Krumrei said Play It Again Sports will decorate its window with spray painted sports gear and lights and will host the Gasse School of Music during the Holiday Walk.

The annual Holiday Walk which Krumrei mentioned will take place on Friday, Dec. 2, be ginning at 6 p.m.

Nothing but good fun on Madison

The Holiday Walk, said Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, “showcases Forest Park as a whole as well as our downtown business district and brings folks together

to share some holiday cheer made possible by the generosity of our sponsors.

“Live window displays, merchant open houses, horse-drawn car riage rides, balloon twisting, face painting, Santa & Mrs. Claus and an Ice Sculpture photo op are just part of the magic of this annual Holiday Walk on Madison Street.”

Like the Casket Races, the Holiday Walk is designed to both attract business to the merchants on Madison Street and also to contribute to a sense of community spirit.

“What makes the event so special,” said Kokenes, “is the creativity of the business community and other organizations is shared with the greater community, bringing us all together for a joyful event.”

Speaking of creativity, Rich Schauer claims that he is going to actually make it snow INSIDE his hardware store.

In addition to Krumrei hosting the Gasse School, Augie Aleksy will feature the Medieval Singers at Centuries and Sleuths Book Store during the walk.

Statewide enthusiasm for Holiday Walk

The Enjoy Illinois website raved about the walk saying:

Forest Park’s Madison Street transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland for the annual Holiday Walk & Festival of Windows!

Locals and visitors alike flock to Downtown Forest Park to celebrate the lighting of the village tree, while strolling along Madison Street’s charming collection of boutique shops and eclectic eateries to witness the splendor of live window displays, horse-drawn car riage rides, visits from Santa & his reindeer, festive face painting, and much more

In addition to the unique live window displays lining the block, merchants along Madison Street will be offering special discounts and sales during the event so bring your shopping list and find gifts for everyone on your list!

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Bob and Milady Gerger take a sel e along Madison street dur ing Forest Park’s holiday walk Friday, December 4, 2021

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Centur y and Sleuth’s bookstore hosted the Pippens during Forest Park’s holiday walk Friday, December 4, 2021.

The holidays start on Madison St.

It is the most magical night of the year. e Holiday Walk is here.

Live window displays, merchant open houses, horse-drawn car riage rides, balloon twisting, face painting, Santa & Mrs. Claus and an Ice Sculpture photo op are just part of the magic of this annual Holiday Walk on Madison Street.

6 p.m.. . . . . . Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by fire engine at Constitution Court to light the tree (Madison & Thomas)

6 to 8 p.m. . . Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus at Forest Park Bank for a chat and photo ops. The bank is at 7348 Madison.

6 to 8 p.m. . . Horse-drawn sleigh rides begin at Beloit and Madison and at Elgin and Madison. These are one-way rides from 2 different stops.

6 to 9 p.m. . . Balloon twisting at Foundry/FP

6 to 9 p.m. . . Face painting at Fiore Pizz eria & Bakery and Everett Wealth Solutions

6 to 9 p.m. . . Ice sculpture photos on the lawn at Todd & Holland Tea Merchants

And there’s more

Park District of Forest Park is making s’mores -- while they last -- in Constitution Court. Forest Park Arts Alliance is doing a photobooth at 7251 Madison St. (yes, it’s an empty storefront). Use their props or bring your own.

Mention this ad for one (1) free 30-min lesson in: Cello • Guitar • Piano Viola • Violin (one coupon per person, new students only)

see us perform during the Holiday Walk from 6pm - 9pm at Play It Again Sports, 7443 Madison St.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Attendees grab free cookies outside of Twisted Cookie on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.