Blue Island is bursting with Christmas Cheer this Saturday, Dec. 4 as the holidays swing into full gear in the Island!

The Blue Island Park District hosts their annual lunch with Santa from 11am – 2pm. Pre-registration is the only way to guarantee entry, which includes activities, crafts, snacks, and of course a picture with Santa. Call 708-385-3304 for more info.

Get ready for the big Blue Island Light Parade by starting with Christmas movies at the Blue Island Public Library. Movies are free and start at 2:30pm.

The Christmas Light Parade kicks off at 5:30pm and heads down Western Ave with the big man himself, Santa Claus, making an appearance after the parade at MetroSouth Park, where you can warm up with soup and hot chocolate before heading off on a carriage ride through Uptown.

Friends of the Library host a Christmas open house at 6pm featuring the Library’s Christmas Tree and win tickets to holiday theater at Beverly Art Center.

Plus, various Uptown businesses will be have open-houses with raffle drawings and refreshments, including Flowers by Cathé, Franklin Framing, CARR home-garden-holiday, and Lillian’s Antiques. Cornerstone Gallery holds their annual Christmas exhibition from 5pm – 10pm.

CITY OF BLUE ISLAND EVENTS

2:30 p.m. Christmas movies at the Blue Island Public Library
5:00 p.m. Cornerstone Art Gallery Christmas Show opens
5:30 p.m. Christmas Light Parade on Western Avenue
6:00 p.m. Friends of the Library Christmas Open House at the Library
6:30 p.m. Festivities at MetroSouth Park, corner of York & Western.

This year, November 27th is the first ever Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.

More than a dozen advocacy, public and private organizations have joined in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

Join the movement, spread the word!

Mantega Su Casa:Sábado 4 de Diciembre del 2010 [.pdf]

This Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20 you have two opportunities to support local merchants AND give back to your community as they pledge profits to two local institutions.

On Friday, Nov. 19, be a friend of the Blue Island Library by shopping at CARR home-garden-holiday, 2357 York St., and enjoying dinner at Island’s Cafe, 13000 Western Ave.  Both will donate 10% of their receipts between 6pm-8pm to the Friends of the Blue Island Public Library when you present this receipt – click to download and print two!

Head back Uptown on Saturday, Nov. 20 and Shop Hop in Blue Island to support Angel’s Touch as they work to assist working-class families in times of need.  CARR, Restaurante Tenochtitlan, 12947 Western Ave., Stefanelli & Sons, 13012 Western Ave., and Flowers by Cathé, 13022 Western Ave. have all pledged to help Angel’s Touch reach out to families and individuals who need assistance. Shop or dine between 10am and 6pm while presenting these coupons – click here to download and print!

A big thanks to all Blue Islanders and our visitors who continue to support our town!

Students from School District 130 are presenting art work at Blue Island’s first “pop up” art gallery this holiday season, bringing the arts to Uptown at 12836 Western Ave.  Jennie Malysa donated the space, where the artists’ work will be on display until January.  Alongside the range of works in a variety of mediums, the gallery reminds us that the arts help strengthen literacy, nurture engaged learners, and develop a globally competitive workforce

Read more in the SouthtownStar and the Trib’s Local blog!

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We applaud all that made this happen, especially Alison Rich from Kerr Middle and Amy Malysa.  Congrats to the artists and thanks for bringing art to our main street!