Small towns are known for their community traditions during the Christmas holiday season . Picture a scene from any Hallmark Christmas movie and you will feel nostalgic as you and your family enjoy the many festivities put on by those committed to tradition and making magic for children and adults .
Elwood has the “ Magic of Christmas ” on November 25 , 2023 , the Saturday following Thanksgiving . Mayor Todd Jones has been a huge part of the festival for 8 out of 10 years so far . Once it gets dark , everyone gathers downtown to watch as a special ‘ elf ,’ a second-grade student from the local school , and the mayor , flip the switch to turn on all the sparkling lights all over the town . There is singing , several activities such as free trolley rides through Callaway Park and a special mailbox set up for children to write a special Christmas letter to Santa , drop it off and wait to get a handwritten reply from Santa !
The Grinch , Mr . and Mrs . Claus will be on hand to greet all the guests . Santa and the mayor ride in the bucket of a fire truck in a parade . Two to three times during the season , the fire trucks will ride through neighborhoods with Santa waving at everyone standing outside . The Mistletoe Market will have several local vendors set up with plenty of displays of their wares to entice anyone buying gifts . One last fun event that night is the movie , The Polar Express , which will be shown in the courthouse for free to everyone along with popcorn and hot cocoa . It is truly a “ Normal Rockwell ” painting come to life in this small-town festival .
FALL / WINTER 2023 DISCOVER | 21