Chester plans 36th Annual Christmas on the River

CHESTER – Christmas On The River is fast approaching.

 

We invite you to get in the spirit by decorating the outside of your house and yard in the most festive and creative manner and to compete in the Holiday Home Lighting Contest.

 

Nominate your own home, your neighbors, family or your friends by submitting an address to the parks and recreation office at City Hall. 618-826-1430.

 

So get in the holiday spirit and dazzle us with your decorations. Deck the halls, the rooftops, the porch and the yards!

 

Hang up the brightest of lights and show us your holiday spirit. The addresses of all nominations will be posted on social media for anyone wanting to drive and look at the holiday homes.

 Eligibility: Must live in the city limits of Chester.

 Decorations must be visible from the roadway.

 Registrations must be received by December 2nd at 9 a.m.

 Decorations must be available and lit up December 3rd between 5-7 p.m. for judging.

 Contest winners will be announced Wednesday, December 4th at the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony.

 

Categories:

 

The Minimalist-Simple And Clean Display.

 

The White Lights-All White Lights Display.

 

The Reason For The Season-Best Nativity Display.

 

The Traditional-Captures The Classic Christmas Motif.

 

The Whimsical-It’s Humorous, Unexpected And Fun.

 

Business owners are invited to decorate their storefronts in the most festive and creative manner and to challenge fellow business owners to a little friendly, holiday competition.

 

Nominate your business by submitting an address to the Parks and Recreation Office At City Hall. 618-826-1430.

 

So get in the holiday spirit and dazzle us with your decorations. deck the windows, doors, sidewalks and store with bright lights, garland and bows! Share your holiday spirit with the community. The addresses of all nominations will be posted on our social media for anyone wanting to drive and look at the holiday businesses.

 

 Eligibility: Must be in the city limits of Chester.

 

 Businesses may only compete in one category.

 

 Decorations must be visible from the roadway.

 

 Registrations must be received by December 2nd at 9 a.m.

 

 Decorations must be available and lit up on December 3rd between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. for judging.

 

 Contest winners will be announced Wednesday, December 4th at the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony.

 

Categories:

 

Most Creative Display, Best Holiday Spirit, Most Spectacular Display, The Annual Grand Illumination of the Community Christmas Tree, Chester Square Gazebo Park Will Be Held Wednesday, December 4th At 6 P.M.

 

Santa and Mrs Claus Will Make Their First Visit Of The Season And kick Off The Holiday Celebration. Join Us For Visits With Santa And Mrs. Claus,

 

The Community Blessing Of The Season And Mayor Tom Page’s Annual Holiday Tidings In Our Little River City.

 

Grab Your Friends And Family And Join In The Reindeer Games, Friday, December 6, 6pm.

 

Teams Must Consist Of No Less Than 3 And No M Ore Than 6 Members.

 

Each Member Must Be At Least 16 Years Old. A Cell Phone Camera And Vehicle Are Required.

 

Register By November 29th And The Fee Is $20, After And It Is $30. Register Early And Earn Advantages! Bonus Points And Prizes For The Best Transportation Decoration And Best Entire Team Attire.

 

St. John’s 52nd Annual Christmas Bazaar Will Be Held Saturday, December 7th . There Will Be Local Vendors, Free Kid Crafts, Hot Cocoa & Cookie Stand, St. Nick’s Attic, Their Ever Popular Coffee Cakes And Soup. Stop By And Browse, Enjoy Luch And Be Sure To Get Your Picture With Santa Taken For Free.

 

St. John Lutheran Church Will Host An Open House, 10 Am-4 Pm.

 

St Mary Help Of Christian Church Invites Everyone To An Open House Saturday, December 7, 10 M-3 Pm. It Is The Season Of Advent For The Church And They Will Be Showcasing The Beautiful Symbols Of Their Catholic Faith.

 

The City Of Chester Proudly Presents Our Annual Lighted Christmas Parade. The Parade Will Be Held On Saturday, December 7, At 5:30 Pm. The Parade Will Form In Front Of The Chester High School. Participants Should Turn Onto Hoppe Drive From State Street To Line-Up And May Begin Doing So At 4:30 Pm. All Entries Must Be In Place By 5:15 Pm. The Parade Will Step Off At 5:30 Pm, Move Southwest On Swanwick Street. It Will Turn Left On West Stacey Street And Immediately Right Onto State Street. It Will Continue On State Street Ending At Church Street, (CHESTER Car Wash).

 

Have You Seen The Spirit Of Christmas, First Hand?

 

I Have, In The Smiles On The Faces And The Excitement In The Eyes Of The Children Lining The Street Waiting On The Lighted Parade To Come By.

 

Oh, I Have Seen Them Jumping With Excitement And Waving Their Hands.

 

I Have Heard The Excitement In Their Voices And I Have Seen The Sparkle In Their Eyes As Santa Rolls By Waving.

 

Each Little Boy And Girl Feels Like Santa Is Waving Just To Them!

 

You Can Feel It.

 

As The Parade Makes It’s Way Down The Route You See Folks Huddled Around A Fire,

 

Children Playing And Roasting Marshmallows,

 

Old Friends Chatting,

 

New Friends In The Making,

 

Folks Bundled In Warm Clothing,

 

And Little Ones Tucked Inside The Warmth Of A Car Or The Arms Of A Loved One.

 

For A Little While Time Seems To Stop And Take You To A Nostalgic Place.

 

A Place Where You Remember The Wander Of Christmas When You Were A Child.

 

Where The Stress Of The Day Doesn’t Matter.

 

Where You Get To See Christmas Through The Eyes Of A Child.

 

Where You Can Experience The Feeling Of Christmas And Feel The Joy Of A Small Town Christmas Celebration.

 

We Want To Fill The Streets With A Parade Of Lights For Our Kids.

 

Our Parade Has No Theme And There Is No Entry Fee.

 

It Is Dark So You Don’t Need To Have An Elaborate Float.

 

Just Lights On A Moving Vehicle Or Person, A Tractor, A Car, A Truck, A Bike!

 

If You Have An Entry In Another Parade We Would Love To Have You Share It In Ours.

 

All Businesses, Civic Groups, Organizations, Churches, Neighborhood Groups, And Individuals Are Invited To Participate.

 

All Entries Are Required To Be Lighted.

 

Entry Forms Are Available At Www.Chesterill.Com And At Chester City Hall.

 

Following The Parade The Community Is Invited To Gather Behind The Chester Square Gazebo Park For Santa’s Street Party! Santa And Mrs Claus Will Be Receiving Visitors And There Will Be Activities For The Kids. Main Event Catering Will Be Set Up In The Yard At Perfect Detail Spa And They Will Be Serving Chili, Hot Dogs, Cocoa And Expresso. A Christmas On The River Favorite Is The Holiday Craft Sale And Christmas Market.

 

We Are Currently Taking Vendor Applications For The Vfw. Spaces Are $25 Each. Contact City Hall At 618-826-1430 For Registration Information. Vendors Wishing To Be At The Courthouse May

 

Contact Donna Ritter At 618-826-3706 For Information. Stop By The Vfw, 939 State Street, And The Courthouse, 1 Taylor Street, For All Your Gift Needs. Sale Hours Will Be: Friday, 5-8 Pm, Saturday, 9 Am-5 Pm And Sunday, 11 Am-3 Pm. The Mississippi Valley Art Guild Will Be Open During The Above Hours With Their Annual Art And Craft Sale. Stop By 611 State Street And Have A Look.

 

Once Again We Will Honor The Memory Of Our Loved Ones With The Evergreen Cemetery Signs Of Remembrance. Contact Teri At 618-826-5114 For Information. If You Would Like To Purchase A New Sign The Fee Is $20, Renewals Are $10.

 

All Events And Times Are Subject To Change.

 

For More Information Call 618-826-1430, Look Us Up On Facebook At Chester, Il Community Information Or Visit Us At Www.Chesterill.Com.