DECEMBER
The Village of Bradley’s 40th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, December 5th and it steps off at 6:30pm headed down West Broadway Street from Forest to Washington. The theme this year is “Christmas Jubilee on Gingerbread Lane”. Watch for Denny Case and Stacy Barclay in our radio station van. Pre-parade festivities begin at 4:30pm in the parking lot at Broadway and Cleveland with DJ’d music, food, sweets and cocoa. Across the street, you can decorate your own gingerbread man at the Bradley Legion. Then after the parade, families can gather at the Bradley Village Hall for visits with Santa Claus.
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The Sons Squadron #551 invites you and your little ones to visit the Onarga American Legion on Saturday, December 6th for “Pancakes With Santa”, from 7 to 11am. Everyone is welcome and donations will be accepted. The legion hall is at 608 West Lincoln Avenue in Onarga.
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The Village of Manteno and its Chamber of Commerce will be hosting “Christmas in Manteno” on Saturday, December 6th from 3 to 8pm in downtown Manteno. Enjoy sleigh rides, the Jingle Bell Business Stroll, a Christmas lighting ceremony and more. Shop unique gift ideas from the artists and crafters set up for the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County’s Holiday Market, and visit the Square on Second for seasonal sounds and entertainment, Christmas Tree Lane, Frosty’s Fun Zone, and pictures with Santa. More info at villageofmanteno.com
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The Bourbonnais Township Park District will host “Christmas on the Farm” at Perry Farm Park from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, December 6th with Santa photos, carriage rides, crafts, games and holiday activities. All ages are welcome. More info at BTPD.org
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The Les Artisans Arts and Crafts Fair Holiday Market will be held in the Expo Center at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, December 6th. Shop from dozens of makers, bakers, artists and growers. Enjoy specialty foods and coffee, lunch items and more. Admission is a suggested one-dollar donation at the door to benefit the Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society.
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The “Ordinary Dads Christmas Concert” will take place on Saturday, December 6th in support of Bedford’s Inclusive Playground with two entertaining performances. This group of regular dads with average voices, big hearts, and a love for Christmas will bring laughter, music and holiday cheer to the Aroma Park Methodist Church at 3pm, and Grace Baptist Church on Waldron Road in Kankakee at 6pm.
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Fightin’ Irish Baseball will sponsor a Christmas Market with shopping, food, raffles and over 50 different vendors on Sunday, December 7th from 1 to 4pm at Bishop McNamara High School, 550 West Brookmont Boulevard in Kankakee.
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The annual “Jingle Bell Run” to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation of Illinois will take place at Kankakee Community College on Sunday, December 7th. Holiday costumes and attire are encouraged for this festive walk/run that will begin promptly at 9am. Get all the details and register today at jbr.org/kankakee
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The “New Horizons Band”, conducted by Rod Williams, will host a free Holiday Concert on Monday, December 8th at 7pm. This will take place in the Kresge Auditorium at Olivet Nazarene University’s Larsen Fine Arts Building, located across from the Dairy Queen in Bourbonnais.
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The Salvation Army of Kankakee is currently accepting new, unwrapped toys for their annual Angel Tree Christmas toy drive until Friday, December 12th at 5pm. Your generous toy donations can be brought to the Salvation Army at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday, or dropped off here at our radio station where we have one of their toy barrels in the breezeway to our lobby at 292 North Convent in Bourbonnais. These toys will be provided to the children of struggling Kankakee County parents in time for Christmas.
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Local nonprofit group “Still I Rise” will host its 12th annual “Healthy for the Holidays” Health and Wellness Seminar on Saturday, December 13th from noon until 2pm at Rigo’s Place on North Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee. Hosted by Aaron and Tocarra Robinson, the doors open at 11:30am. Speakers include Jesse Jackson Jr. and Dr. Rodney Alford. There will be a catered lunch, raffles and giveaways. Attendees must RSVP by December 8th by purchasing a $65 ticket through Eventbrite.
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The Peotone “Christmas in the Village Craft Vendor Event” will be held Saturday, December 13th from 8am until noon inside the Peotone High School on North Street.
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Another Masonic Lodge All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 13th from 9am until noon at the Chebanse Lodge of St. Anne #429, located at 80 East First South Street in Chebanse. They’ll also have sausage, coffee, juice and milk. The breakfast is $10 but kids 10 and under can eat for just 5 bucks.
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The Kankakee Christmas Parade is set to take place on Saturday, December 13th and it will step off from North Schuyler Avenue at 4:30pm, ending on South West Avenue. View the full parade route on the City of Kankakee Facebook page. Be sure to stop by the Mistletoe Market before the parade for local vendors, unique holiday gifts and festive spirit from 10am to 2pm at the downtown Festival Square.
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The River Valley Wind Ensemble will perform a Free Holiday Concert conducted by Dr. David Conrad at 3pm on Sunday, December 14th inside the Larsen Fine Arts Building on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. Come early to enjoy some Christmas Carols performed by the River Valley Choral Ensemble beginning at 2:30pm.
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The Community Arts Council of Kankakee County and the Village of Bourbonnais will host their annual “Miracle at The Grove” event on Sunday, December 14th from 11am to 3pm at The Grove in Goselin Park. Enjoy holiday shopping from several artists and crafters, hot beverages, food vendors, live carolers, free sleigh rides, a real reindeer, photo ops with Santa and more. Admission and parking are free. More information available at villageofbourbonnais.com
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Our local Menards home improvement store on Christine Drive in Bradley is currently serving as a toy drive drop site until Monday, December 15th. They have a drop box near the exit door to collect new and unwrapped presents for less fortunate children in our community.
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JANUARY
The Grant Park PTO will be hosting a daddy/daughter dance with a “Candyland” theme on Saturday, January 17th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Hamman Center on West Taylor Street. They’ll have a DJ, raffles and photo opportunities available. Admission is $15 per daddy/daughter couple, then $2 for each additional child. Tickets will be sold at the door.
FEBRUARY
The Zonta Club of Kankakee will host their annual “Party Gras” event on Saturday, February 7th at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee. This evening will feature a dinner buffet and a cash bar, raffles, an auction, and live music from the South Side Social Club. Doors open at 5 o’clock and dinner begins at 6pm. It’s $50 per person with funds going toward local, national and international service projects that support women and girls. Find ticket info on their Facebook page or under “Events” at zontakankakee.com
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