Shelbyville businesses are planning a variety of activities to get residents and visitors in the spirit of the Hometown Holidays.
Hometown Holidays begins this weekend with the opening of the Festival of Lights Friday at 5 p.m. in Forest Park. Participating merchants will be open until 7 p.m.
Main Street Quilt Company and West Side Floral will host open houses all day November 20 and 21.
Santa Claus comes to town on Saturday, November 21, and will be in the downtown mini-park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free pictures with Santa are offered during that time by Lisa Jacoby Photography and sponsored by the Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce. Pictures may be picked up Wednesday, November 25, at the Chamber office, 124 N. Morgan, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa will also be in his house November 28, December 5, December 12 and December 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. He will visit businesses from 2 to 4 p.m. on December 5, 12, and 19.
The Shelbyville Merchants Association will sponsor a cookie walk and Santa specials on November 21. Look for the cookie and Santa posters in the windows of participating merchants.
The Festival of Lights Soup Supper will be held at the Senior Center in Forest Park beginning at 5 p.m. The supper includes corn chowder with chicken, beef vegetable soup, chili, and potato soup. Sandwiches and desserts, as well as a children’s menu with hot dog, are also offered. Cost is $7 per adult and $3.50 per child.
A Santa Shoot sponsored by the Shelby Humane Society offers a chance to have your pet’s picture taken with Santa at his house in the mini-park from 6-8 p.m. on November 21. Other shoots are offered on December 4 from 2 to 5 p.m. and December 12 from 3 to 6 p.m.
From November 27 through December 17 the “Build a Mountain of Love” program will collect non-perishable foods for the C.E.F.S and First United Methodist Church food pantries.
Items for the collection may be taken to Inside Computer Solutions, 119 E. Main Street, where the public can watch the mountain grow.
“The public is asked to donate. For each item donated, donors will receive a raffle ticket which will be put into a drawing for one of three $100 prizes which can be spent at participating merchants,” said Shelbyville Merchants Association spokesperson Elma Rincker.
The drawing will be held December 17 at Inside Computer Solutions at 6 p.m. You must be present to win.
Merchants are asked to donate money toward the prizes and any extra money will be donated to the Angel of Love program, according to Rincker.
From December 1 through December 18 Christmas houses will be displayed at various businesses with gingerbread posters and the public can vote for their favorite.
“The decorated Christmas houses are made by grade schoolers,” Rincker said. “They don’t have to be made of gingerbread. They can be made with crackers.”
Voting on the houses is by donation.
Shelbyville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center will host a bazaar at the Senior Center in Forest Park on December 4 from 1 to 6 p.m. and December 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“There will be over 20 vendors there,” said Chamber of Commerce office manager Angela Binnion. “The proceeds will go to the residents’ Christmas party.”
Pat’s Antiques, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Boutique and Skin Deep Spa will host open houses December 4 and 5.
A Victorian Christmas Home Tour will be held on December 5 from 12 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Whalen’s West Side Floral, Shelby County State Bank, Late Bloomers on Main, The Connection, Ace Hardware, and the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce.
Details of the Home Tour will be printed later in the Daily Union.
Throughout the weekends, businesses are planning Santa Specials and staying open later to accommodate their customers.
Rincker reminds merchants to contact her at Merle Norman Cosmetics, 774-4233, to donate or participate in any of the planned activities.
Local News
Shelby Businesses Plan Hometown Holidays Activities
- Local News
-
-
State Earthquake Drill Today
Illinois residents have a chance to practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On” as a part of the second annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut drill for earthquake preparedness.
-
Economic Development Council Holds Board Meeting
The Economic Development Council of Shelby County (EDCSC) had a board of directors meeting on Tuesday January 31. The meeting was held in the basement of Monical’s Pizza and David Young ran the meeting.
-
Former Strasburg Clerk Waives Preliminary Hearing
Former Strasburg and Dieterich Village Clerk PaulaRae Johnson, 57, of Tilden appeared before Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Koester on Monday, January 30, and waived her preliminary hearing.
-
Accident Sends One to Hospital
-
Representative Chapin Rose Honored by Agricultural Community
State Representative Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) stopped in Shelbyville to pick up an award. Rose was presented with the “Friends of Agriculture Award’ for his decade of service and commitment to the agricultural community in the General Assembly.
-
Shelbyville High School Selected for Operation Teen Safe Driving Program
The Allstate Auto Insurance Teen Drivers website has some shocking statistics regarding teen driving.
-
Former Strasburg Clerk Waives Preliminary Hearing
Former Strasburg and Dieterich Village Clerk PaulaRae Johnson, 57, of Tilden appeared before Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Koester on Monday, January 30, and waived her preliminary hearing.
-
Pease, Newlin Formally Charged in Shooting Death
Two men pled not guilty to three counts of First Degree Murder charged
against them in connection with the death of a Herrick man last month. -
Habitat for Humanity in Shelby County Plans Fifth Annual “Dollar Day”
Most folks would agree that in these troubling financial times a dollar doesn’t go too far. One dollar, or 100 pennies, just isn’t worth much in today’s economy.
Habitat for Humanity in Shelby County believes dollars can do a great deal. In fact, last years “Dollar Days” raised almost $5,579. -
Lone Female Occupant Air Lifted from Crash Scene
The Shelby County Sheriff’s office responded to a roll-over accident on Illinois Route 128 north, early Friday morning around 7:50 a.m.
- More Local News Headlines
-
State Earthquake Drill Today





