Belvidere Chamber of Commerce announce Hometown Christmas activities

By Kathryn Menue

Editor

BELVIDERE – The Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce will host Hometown Christmas in downtown Belvidere on Friday, Dec. 4. The special night of events will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The evening will kick-off with the first annual Lights Parade which will begin with line-up at 5 p.m. and begin at 5:30 p.m.

Coinciding with the parade will be the Christmas carols event where the Belvidere middle schools will come together to sing traditional Christmas carols around the Community Christmas tree. They will begin singing at 5:45 p.m. before the lighting of the tree and will continue to sing until after the lighting of the tree at 6:10 p.m.

Mayor Mike Chamberlain will light the Community Christmas tree in front of the Boone County Historical Museum immediately after the parade.

After the ceremonial displays, the Belvidere downtown nightlife will come alive with the Christmas spirit as the community gathers to enjoy all of the wonderful activities Hometown Christmas has to offer:

Journey to Bethlehem

One of the special attractions for Hometown Christmas will be the live nativity set at the Dari Ripple. The Dari Ripple will also have complimentary refreshments. This event is sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Wagon Rides

Another fun activity perfect for the family is the complimentary wagon rides through the downtown area. This event is sponsored by Americold.

Santa Clause

What Christmas adventure would complete without an appearance from Santa Clause. Santa will make an appearance during Hometown Christmas at the Belvidere Family YMCA to hear children’s Christmas wishes. Children will also get a free photo with Santa Clause and a complimentary candy cane courtesy of Blackhawk Bank.

Christmas Fun Fair

The Belvidere YMCA will also host the Children’s Christmas Fun Fair, which is sponsored by the Cosmopolitan Club of Belvidere. The fun fair will feature fun, free games and prizes.

Teen Dance

The Apollo Theater Activity Center will host a Teen Dance, sponsored by Alpine Bank. The Teen Dance will have pop, water, pizza, hot dogs, and various snacks available for purchase. There will also be security at the dance provided by the Belvidere Police Department.

Community Building Complex

The 4-H Club will have approximately 90 decorated trees with presents for disadvantaged families in Boone County donated by area clubs, businesses, and organizations.

The Community Building Complex will also be the host of the Business Vendors and Arts and Crafts Marketplace on the lower level with food available for purchase.

Boone County Historical Museum

The Boone County Historical Museum will have free admission into the museum and will showcase a number of demonstrations and holiday treats.

PNC Bank

The PNC Bank will host a Christmas Movie Marathon. When community members get cold and need a break from the wintery weather, they can stop in the PNC Bank to watch a Christmas movie and to enjoy some free popcorn.

The PNC Bank will also have the CASA Angel Tree in the lobby. CASA will collect scarves, mittens, and gloves to be donated to abused children in the local area.

Fire Station

The Fire Station will host a children’s craft event courtesy of BMO Harris Bank. They will also serve free hot chocolate courtesy of Culver’s.

Luminaries

The luminaries around town are set up by the Immanuel Lutheran Youth Group.

Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce

The Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce is selling 2015 Hometown Christmas button and print by David Worrell.

For more information on Hometown Christmas, please call Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tom Lassandro at (815) 544-4357.