Over 3,000 people attended the Miracle on Main Street event in downtown Lake Zurich on Dec. 7 as a Saturday Lake County memory maker for many.
The sunset offered bright reds and oranges as choral groups performed. The weather was clear and in the 44-degree range as the sun set at 4:20 p.m.
“Miracle on Main Street is a true community event because we have different organizations from around Lake Zurich here with us,” said Marisa Boynton of Hawthorn Woods, recreation supervisor for special events with the Village of Lake Zurich Office of Park and Recreation.
Viewing antlers of reindeer in a pen is JJ Dylla, 3, of Deer Park at Miracle on Main Street in downtown Lake Zurich on Dec. 7, 2024. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
“We have, not only the Village of Lake Zurich, we have our Chamber of Commerce, we have the Lions Club, we have the Rotary Club and we have various non-profits and church groups that are here as well,” Boynton said.
“And so it really brings every facet of the community together to celebrate,” Boynton said.
More than 30 volunteers assisted this year to help make the event possible, Boynton said.
“The volunteers are the only reason we are able to continue doing these events because we are a small but mighty team but with their assistance and their commitment to the community, we are able to put on these large-scale community events,” Boynton said, showing gratitude.
Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton said Miracle on Main Street is, “another great night in downtown Lake Zurich.”
Preparing a fresh batch of kettle corn is vendor Nathan Speweik of Addison and of Lincoln Land Kettle Corn at Miracle on Main Street in downtown Lake Zurich on Dec. 7, 2024. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Poynton is excited about 2025, saying, “We’ve got a lot of things in the hopper.
“We’re redoing Main Street starting next year which should bring more people down here, some more businesses down here,” the mayor said.
“Nothing but good stuff happening.”
Event amenities included sponsored attractions such as a large inflatable igloo near Rotary Park. The reindeer pen became a photo backdrop for Cathy Tserendavaa of Lake Zurich with parents Ted and Suzie Tserendavaa, along with family pup P.J., 7, a male mixed breed.
The Tserendavaa family moved last year from Norridge to Lake Zurich. Cathy Tserendavaa, who attended Maine South High School, thanked event organizers and volunteers.
Taking a cell phone selfie with reindeer in a pen behind them are Cathy Tserendavaa of Lake Zurich with Lake Zurich parents Ted and Suzie Tserendavaa with family pup P.J., 7, a male mixed breed, at Miracle on Main Street in downtown Lake Zurich on Dec. 7, 2024. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
“It just brings a lot of joy to people who come and visit,” Cathy Tserendavaa said.
There were food trucks and community tables plus holiday lights illuminating horse drawn carriage and sleigh rides.
An antique fire engine with more holiday lights was a backdrop for entertainment which took place in front of a stage with dance and school choral groups.
The itinerary included the Peace Lutheran Bell Choir, Cricket Theatre, Academy of Performing Arts, Lake Zurich District 95 combined elementary school singers, the Lake Zurich High School Blue Notes and the high school’s Bare Voices performers.
Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton has just done the countdown to flip the lights on the village tree at Miracle on Main Street in downtown Lake Zurich on Dec. 7, 2024. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)
Santa and Mrs. Claus made a grand entrance riding on a fire engine. Santa and Mrs. Claus then joined Mayor Poynton to illuminate the hometown tree at Rotary Park on the corner of Main Street and Old Rand Road.
Helping Mayor Poynton to flip the switch on stage using a ceremonial oversized and festive device was Rose Lovejoy, a kindergartner from Lake Zurich, winner of a raffle for the special stage opportunity.
The tree was illuminated with fanfare and featured white lights. People cheered and clapped. There were plenty of smiles and photographs around the trees.
Mayor Poynton said, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody.
“We’ve got great people.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/09/lake-zurich-miracle-on-main-street/