Roscoe hosts a Hometown Holiday celebration
The celebration is happening Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in the Stateline area. Rockton’s Christmas Walk, Dec. 6-8, 2024, kicked off the holiday season. Now it’s Roscoe’s turn.
Businesses and homes on Main Street and beyond in Roscoe have taken Christmas lighting to the next level this year. Lighted trees throughout the downtown area add a festive note to the season and set the stage for the 2024 Hometown Holiday celebration.
The initial Christmas Hometown Holiday began in 2017. Attendance was great and has continued and improved every year.
Hosted by the Village of Roscoe, the event has been renamed Hometown Holiday and Merry Market. It will take place in Roscoe’s Main Street District, between Bridge and Harrison Streets. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
A free holiday shuttle, courtesy of Stateline Mass Transit District (SMTD), and a horse-drawn trolley will make it easy for families to get around (and stay warm.)
Hot chocolate will be available at Velvet Robot Coffee Lab on the corner of Bridge and Main. Upstairs and at the antique car on the street, COUNTRY Financial will offer photo opportunities for Christmas cards.
The multi-use public space behind Velvet Robot was originally planned to be the gathering place for festive food and drinks, but construction problems delayed the progress. The event space has now been changed to the Liberty Engineering lot across the street at Bridge and Main. Rockton-Roscoe News is one of the participating businesses pitching a tent, passing out newspapers and candy.
Perfectly Seasoned, Mary’s Market, Pietro’s Restaurant, Whiskey Hotel Barbeque, Louie’s Tap House, and Poison Ivy Pub will be offering great food and drinks from wooden huts scattered across the area. Spiked hot cider, mulled wine, and other alcoholic drinks will be served in a fence-enclosed portion.
Area Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will have decorated the 24 live Christmas trees in the Liberty lot sponsored by Williams Tree Farm. The public is invited to vote for their favorite tree (ballots available next to the trees) while enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate.
The hottest spot for kid’s activities will take place at the Harlem Roscoe Fire Department, offering lots of games (with prizes), hot cocoa, popcorn, and baby goats. Mrs. Claus will be reading stories, from 3 to 6:15 p.m. The event is sponsored by elev815.
Meander down Main Street to Roscoe Village Hall, where kids can talk to Santa and give him their Christmas lists, 3 - 6 p.m., courtesy of Regal Cutting Tools. Meanwhile, moms and dads can listen to the music of the “When Pigs Fly” band at the same locale.
Head up Main Street to Roscoe United Methodist Church for a chili or soup supper in Harman Hall. The Christmas supper is free; however, good will offerings will be accepted as well as canned goods for the Old Stone Church Food Pantry. After eating, families are invited to come to the church sanctuary for a choral concert featuring school choirs from throughout the area.
Six area schools will be singing Christmas carols, 3 – 6:30 p.m.
- 3 p.m. Willowbrook Middle School Choir – Director: Hayley Gotzsche
- 3:23 p.m. Roscoe Middle School Choir – Director: Diana Boelte
- 3:45 p.m. Hononegah High School Choir – Director: Carol Frieden
- 4:17 p.m. Stephen Mack Middle School Choir – Director: Luke McMillan
- 4:37 p.m. Harlem High School Choir – Director: Jeremy Bois
- 5:00 p.m. Harlem Middle School Choirs – Director: Jessica Koenig
The Alleluia Quartet Concert begins at 7 p.m.
In the lower level of the church, (artificial) snowball fights for little kids and big kids will be in progress throughout the evening.
Hometown Holiday festivities conclude with Christmas caroling and the lighting of the large Christmas tree in the Liberty Engineering lot. Lights will be turned on at exactly 6:30 p.m.
