December 27, 2024
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Here are 5 things to do in DeKalb County this week

By Katrina J.E. Milton
Holiday tours will be offered at the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb through Dec. 12. Guided tours are offered at 1 and 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. About 20 rooms in the house were decorated by 17 organizations and volunteer groups. Patty's room, pictured, was decorated by the Genoa Guest House.

Holiday tours will be offered at the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb through Dec. 12. Guided tours are offered at 1 and 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. About 20 rooms in the house were decorated by 17 organizations and volunteer groups. Patty's room, pictured, was decorated by the Genoa Guest House.

1. Family Christmas Extravaganza – entry times between 4 and 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA, 2500 Bethany Road in Sycamore

Families can play carnival games, make a themed craft, sip a cup of hot cocoa, visit with Santa, pose for a memorable photo and take home a cookie decorating kit. Entry times will be staggered every 15 minutes. Tickets to the event cost $3 for YCMA members, $6 for non-members, and family members are free.

For information or to register for the event, go to the Kishwaukee Family YMCA’s at kishymca.org/.

2. Celebrate the Season – walking parade is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, and drive-thru parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday in Genoa

The holiday season kicks off in Genoa with the Jingle Bell Walking Parade, starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Santa Claus will come to town and there will be a tree-lighting ceremony. The event will include photos with Santa, a petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides, take-home craft, warming fires, food, vendor booths and a live nativity.

On Saturday, there will be a drive-thru parade around town starting at 6 p.m. The parade will begin in front of Chamberlain Park and end at Genoa-Kingston High School. The parade will be streamed live on the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

For information about Christmas events in Genoa, go to genoaareachamber.com/chamber-event/celebrate-the-season/.

3. Ellwood House Holiday Event Weekend – 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at the Ellwood House Museum, 420 Linden Place in DeKalb

Tour guides will be stationed in the rooms of the mansion and will share content about the Ellwood family and the architecture of the mansion. Tickets are for a timed entry every 15 minutes. A self-guided tour typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Groups no larger than 10 will enter the building at a time. Bring your tickets or mobile device showing purchased tickets to the front door of the mansion at your designated time. Masks are required for entry. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6 to 17 and free for children younger than 6 and Ellwood House members.

For information or to book a ticket, order through Eventbrite or call 815-756-4609.

4. Christmas Vendor Fair – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Warehouse on Park, 662 Park Ave. in Genoa

The event will feature 12 vendors, Christmas cocktails, live music featuring The Rhythm Section from noon to 3 p.m. and more. Vendors include local street artist Aaron C. Robertson, Inch X Inch Worm, Sweet Dreams Catering, Flosaic Art, Corner Cobbler, Mellow Mammals, Freeman Fliers, DBK Designs by K, CR Handmade Items, The Mermaids Roost and Take Time to Relax Therapeutic Massage. The warehouse’s shop will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with fresh balsam wreaths, which can be embellished for an extra fee.

For information, go to the event’s page on Facebook.

5. Winterbash: Winter Wonderland – 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 at OC Creative, 1600 E. Lincoln Highway, Suite A, in DeKalb

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce holiday event this year will be co-hosted by OC Creative, Proven Winners and Redeemed Office. Celebrate the season with your community colleagues at an event featuring live music and entertainment, including Rockin Moxie with a karaoke option, Elvis, selfies with the elfies, aerial silk performances, DeKalb High School harpists and orchestra quartet, the DeKalb High School mascot, a caricature artist, a balloon artist, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. There will be free sweets and desserts, including hot chocolate, flavored cotton candy samples, Byers Brewing kegs and Fatty’s Pub & Grille beers on tap, Jonamac Orchard’s apple cider doughnuts and wine, and El Jimador’s churros. There will also be opportunities to shop local, including visiting with adoptable puppies from Tails Humane Society. Proven Winners will be celebrating its new office with a ribbon cutting.

For information, go to the event’s page on Facebook.

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