Home for the Holidays events a hit downtown

MORRIS — The annual post-Thanksgiving Home for the Holidays events hosted by Morris Downtown Development Partnership took on different forms due to COVID-19 restrictions, but they were still a success, according to MDDP Executive Director Julie Applegate.

"We were happy to be able to do something," Applegate said. "It was great for the kids and we were able to bring people downtown."

On Friday night, the Lighted Holiday Parade, which usually proceeds down Liberty Street with people sitting or standing on sidewalks along the way, was changed to a drive-through parade on Franklin Street from North Street to Washington Street.

Hundreds of cars were waiting in line on the west side of Franklin Street, and on the east side, cars were backed up from North Street to more than halfway over the railroad overpass on Rt. 47.

"The lines were ridiculous," Applegate said. "We didn't know how many people were going to want to participate in the parade, but it was more than we expected. We also had told people that they had to enter from the west, but some didn't get that notice and were coming in from the east. The Morris Police Department and Grundy EMA did a great job of keeping things organized and we got everyone through, even though we had to go an extra half-hour."

The parade wasn't the only weekend event, though.

There were horse carriage rides through town, visits with Santa and his reindeer and the window walk, during which patrons could walk up and down Liberty Street to view the displays in the business windows, as well as come in and shop.

"We had to do reservations for the carriage rides and Santa and his reindeer," Applegate said. "It worked out well. There were a few people that wanted to just walk up and take a ride or see the reindeer, but we explained that they needed to make a reservation so we could keep everyone safe, and they were fine with that."

Applegate said that the annual Midnight in Morris event this year will still happen this Friday, but the hours have changed from 6 p.m. until midnight to noon until midnight.

"We think that having a longer period of time will help with the businesses," she said. "With the longer times, we hope that the crowds are more spread out and won't risk as much the businesses being at 25% capacity. The main things are that we want everyone to enjoy themselves, but we also want to keep everyone safe."

Applegate said that the Morris Public Library will be having a virtual visit with Santa, and the decorating contest for ornaments on the big evergreen tree on the Grundy Courthouse lawn is still going on until Friday.

Applegate said that children and parents can still visit Santa, but have to follow Santa’s schedule. On Saturday, Dec. 5 from noon until 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1-3 p.m., Santa will be at the Grundy Bank on Franklin and Main Streets. On Saturday, Dec. 12 from noon until 3 p.m., he will be at First Midwest Bank, 220 Main St. On Sunday, Dec. 13, he will be at his house on Illinois Avenue from 1-3 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 19, he will be at Morris National Bank & Trust, 1771 N. Division St. from 1-3 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 20, he will be at his house on Illinois Avenue from 1-3 p.m. On the dates that Santa will be at his house, you can get a picture with him through the window and leave letters for him in his mail box. On the dates that he is at a bank drive-through, send him your wish list and he will send you back a gift. For more information or questions, call 815-941-0245.