Santa Claus comes to Spring Hill Mall
By Denise Moran For The Courier-News November 17, 2012 10:54PM
Bob Acevedo of West Dundee carries his daughter, Sylvia, 3, atop his shoulders while his wife, Kasia, walks with them in the Santa parade.
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Updated: December 19, 2012 1:16PM
WEST DUNDEE — Area residents lined up on Saturday morning to watch Santa’s Welcome Parade as it marched around Spring Hill Mall.
The parade included squad cars, an ambulance and fire trucks from the West Dundee and Carpentersville departments, the cheerleading squad from St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic School in West Dundee, the pom pom squad from The Ballet Box in Algonquin, members of Brownie Troop 747 and Cub Scout Pack 36, Mrs. Claus, Geoffrey the Toys “R” Us giraffe mascot, and the Brookfield Zoo costumed reindeer.
Santa brought up the rear in a horse-drawn sleigh from A Zoo to You of East Dundee.
Tom and Dorothy Gadomski and Ray and Gail Kowalski, all from Lake in the Hills, came to watch their daughters march in the parade. Dorothy said that Paige Gadomski and Jenna Kowalski, both 8, have been going to The Ballet Box since they were three years old.
Elgin grandma Sandy Johnannsen brought her grandchildren to the parade: Taylor, 7, Jake, 6, and Parker, 3, Petruczenko, also of Elgin.
“It’s great to see so many children waiting to see Santa,” said Mrs. Claus. “Every child said they have been good this year.”
Santa’s arrival kicks off a number of events to celebrate the season.
“We are very excited to offer a fun-filled holiday season to our families and the community,” said Amy Prew, general manager of Spring Hill Mall.
The mall will open at 4 a.m. on Black Friday, Nov. 23, with select retailers opening at midnight. Shoppers will have the chance to win $15,000 worth of gift cards and prizes and one lucky person will receive a Spring Hill Mall shopping spree worth $1,000. The winner must be present to win.
The Giving Trees, located in the mall’s center court, offer area residents the opportunity to shop for the needy. After picking an “ornament” from one of the trees and purchasing the items requested, the gifts can be dropped off from now until Friday, Dec. 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the mall management office.
Local, non-profit organizations will participate in a Charity Gift Wrap from Monday, Dec. 10 through Monday, Dec. 24. The recommended donation is $3 per wrapped package. All of the proceeds will benefit the participating organization of the day.
Every Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. beginning Nov. 30 through Dec. 14, Mrs. Claus will read stories to children. The first 100 children who attend will receive a special gift.
Every Tuesday from Nov. 20 through Dec. 11, people can bring their dogs and cats for a photo with Santa.
