There's no place like Home for the Holidays - Draft

Main Street in Roscoe, from Bridge Street to the Roscoe United Methodist Church, will soon become a winter wonderland. The annual Home Town Holiday and Merry Market on Saturday, December 13, will be celebrating the Christmas season with a festival of lights, music, food, and entertainment from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.

Beginning at Bridge and Main Streets, families can stop by the food and drink court, featuring Bon Bons, Jay's Barbecue LLC, Mary's Market, Pietro's Pizzeria, Poison Ivy Pub, and Sebastian's Cafe. The park will be aglow with dozens of Youth Group Christmas Trees. Visitors can vote for their favorite decorated tree.

Everyone is invited to watch the official lighting of the Village of Roscoe Christmas tree at the Hometown Holiday celebration on December 13, 2025. The lights go on at exactly 6:30 PM.

Catch a ride down Main Street on the Christmas shuttle, sponsored by Stateline Mass Transit District (SMTD), or climb aboard the horse-drawn trolley from Sunshine Farms sponsored by Stillman Bank. Both the shuttle and the trolley will make frequent stops along the way.

The Harlem-Roscoe Fire Station is kid-central from 3:00 to 6:15 PM. Sponsored by Elev815, there will be lots of games (with prizes), hot chocolate, and popcorn for the whole family. A large sleigh in the station lobby provides an excellent opportunity for group portraits.

A s'mores station, located in front of the village hall, sponsored by Detail Guys, invites visitors to make their own gooey chocolate treats. Inside, kids can whisper their Christmas wishes into Santa's ear. Santa will welcome children from 3:00 to 6:30 PM. Members Alliance Credit Union is sponsoring Santa's visit.

Further down Main Street, visit Mount Crumpit at the Jim Blevins State Farm Insurance agency. Expect to step into the make-believe world of the Grinch and his dog, Max (played by Blevins' dog, Lily). The story and characters are from the Dr. Seuss book "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Outside the building, everyone is invited to warm their toes around a cozy fire.

Across the street from the State Farm Insurance building, children of all ages can create and take home one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments at C & L Ceramics with assistance from owner Linda Littlejohn.

Roscoe United Methodist Church will be hosting local school choirs from 3:00 to 5:20 PM. Willowbrook Middle School will perform from 3:00 to 3:20. Under the direction of music teacher Haley Gotzsche; Roscoe Middle School follows at 3:25 - 3:45, directed by Diana Boelte; Hononegah Community High School performs 3:50-4:20, under the direction of Carolyn Frieden; followed by Stephen Mack Middle School, 4:25-4:45, directed by Luke McMillan, and Harlem Middle School. Under the direction of Jessica Koenig; 4:50-5:20.

Meanwhile, kids of all ages are invited to an indoor snowball challenge in the church's lower level from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. The event was a huge hit at the 2024 Hometown Holiday celebration. The event is sponsored by Maintain Your Smile Dental.