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Santa arrives in Lansing

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (December 7, 2019) – Though the rain on Saturday, November 30, did not turn out to be as heavy as predicted, the crowd that gathered on Wednesday, December 4, for the rescheduled start of the holiday season was happy for the change. The ground was drier and the winds had calmed, so the 30-degree temperatures did not feel unbearable.

The event began at 5:00pm with Christmas carols and hot chocolate. Around 5:30pm Mayor Eidam made some remarks and lit the Village Christmas tree. At 5:45pm Santa arrived on a sleigh pulled by a police car and escorted by a fire engine. And families were given on-on-one time with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Santa House from 6:00–8:00pm.

Details are provided in the photos and captions below:

The gates on Randolph Street were closed to prevent through traffic from disturbing the crowd gathered at the Santa House. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Crowds gathered on the lawn, sidewalk, and street in front of the Santa House. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Brian Kozlowski led a group from St. Ann Catholic Church in singing Christmas songs for the occasion. The Memorial Junior High Choir had been scheduled but was unable to make it. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

St. Ann Music Director Brian Kozlowski invited others to join the choir, and with some encouragement from Village Communications Director Ken Reynolds, they led the crowd in singing “Frosty the Snowman”:

Following the singing, Mayor Patty Eidam (left) addressed the crowd. Village Clerk Vivian Payne and Trustees Mike Fish, Maureen Grady-Perovich, and Jerry Zeldenrust also represented the Village. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Mayor Eidam drew the crowd’s attention to the variety of holidays represented in the Fox Pointe lighting displays and expressed plans to keep adding to this display. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

At 5:40pm, Mayor Eidam invited the crowd to join her in the tree-lighting countdown:

With the tree lit, Santa was finally ready to make his entrance:

Trustee Brian Hardy and Police Chief Dennis Murrin help Santa disembark. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Heading to the Santa House, Santa greets the waiting crowd. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Santa’s sleigh is an antique found by Mayor Eidam and refurbished by Chicago’s Finest Ironworks and Vos Upholstery. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
A plaque on the front of the sleigh lists the donors. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
While the crowds waited for Santa to reach the Santa House…
…Santa’s sleigh was brought around the corner to the east side of the Santa House…
…and positioned perfectly for family photos. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Inside the house, Mrs. Claus and Santa are ready for visitors. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Santa listens carefully to each guest who visits him at the Santa House. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
A visit with Santa is a great time for a family photo. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Santa’s elves help keep the process organized and fun. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
As families leave the Santa House, more elves are available to snap a family photo in the sleigh. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
(Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
(Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
(Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Santa House Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in December. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

Santa and Mrs. Claus will maintain visiting hours at the Santa House in December as follows:

  • Wednesdays: December 4, 11, 18 from 6:00–8:00pm
  • Fridays: December 6, 13, 20 from 6:00–8:00pm
  • Saturdays: December 7 and 14 from 1:00–3:00pm

The Santa House is located at 18106 Henry Street in Lansing, Illinois.

Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.

1 COMMENT

  1. WONDERFUL – looks like a perfect night for the tree and Santa’s arrival. Hooray for Lansing’s great celebration of Christmas!!!

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