Downers Grove Ushers in Holidays with Annual Gingerbread Festival

It’s coming: Black Friday, the day big-box stores count on to bring in customers in droves and help them end the year with a profit.

But what about the little guy?

Mom and pop businesses will get their chance to shine on Small Business Saturday, which is on Nov. 24.

The date coincides with the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation’s second annual Candlelight Christmas, a family friendly event that offers holiday-themed fun for the kids, plus plenty of opportunities for grown-ups to support local businesses.

The festival starts Friday and runs through Sunday in downtown Downers Grove. Here’s a roundup of events.

Friday, Nov. 23

• Gingerbread House Contest Voting — All Day
• Gingerbread Man Hunt — All Day
• Storytime at Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtis St. — 3:45 p.m.
• Procession to Tree-Lighting Ceremony — 4:20 p.m.
• Tree-Lighting Ceremony — 4:30 p.m.

The Downers Grove holiday tree will feature more than 1,000 ornaments made by local children. Cookies and cider will be served at the Main Street Train Station from 4 p.m. until Santa's arrival at 4:30 p.m. Santa and Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully will then start the countdown and light the tree.

Saturday, Nov. 24

• Third Annual American Express Small Business Saturday — All Day
• Gingerbread House Contest Voting — All Day
• Photo opportunities with Gingerbread Boy and Girl — All Day
• Gingerbread Man Hunt — All Day
• Visit with Santa Claus at the Gingerbread House — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Downers Grove residents are encouraged to "shop local" on Saturday at the village's various downtown merchants.

Sunday, Nov. 25

• Gingerbread House Contest Voting — All Day
• Photo opportunities with Gingerbread Boy and Girl — All Day
• Gingerbread Man Hunt — All Day
• Breakfast with Santa — Emmett's Ale House, 11 a.m. to Noon, and Ballydoyle Irish Pub, Noon to 1 p.m. (Reservations Required)
• Visit with Santa Claus at the Gingerbread House — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Complimentary Carriage Rides, from 1028 Curtiss St. — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• "A Gingerbread Man for Christmas" Play, Presented by Herrick Middle School at the Downers Grove Library — 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Gingerbread houses will be on display throughout the weekend. Festival patrons can vote for their favorite during the event, or online at www.downtowndg.org.

READ: Support Downers Grove Businesses — 25 Local Companies to 'Like' on Facebook

Is your small business planning anything special this Saturday? Let us know and we’ll post it here.

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