By Ana Jaramillo
In 1984, the Lake Forest Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration began in Market Square. The welcome sounds of Jingle Bells, Silent Night and other iconic carols will soon fill the air during its 40th anniversary on Friday, Nov. 29 from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.. "It’s a tradition that has brought our community together for decades,” said Jackie Greca, president of the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation, which puts on the event. “It is a chance for people to reconnect with those who have moved away and may have returned to visit their family for Thanksgiving. It's a moment to reflect on the joy this event has inspired, and we're excited to continue the traditions that make it so special for everyone."
Dancers offer a Rockette-style performance at the tree lighting.
The Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration has included many activities throughout the years, including a live ice sculpting show, a Santa Claus visit, an iconic Rockette-style performance from Lake Forest Dance Academy, and a choir performance by Lake Forest High School Choristers. Since the Lake Forest Tree Lighting Ceremony dawned, Tim Haskett, the Lake Forest High School choir director, was involved in each one till his retirement in 2020. When this tradition started, 35 singers were singing acapella; now, there are more than 100 singers, and a piano player was also recently added.
With s'mores, hot chocolate, and donut holes in hand, the community of more than 1,000 gathers to celebrate and see the lighting of the tree Market Square. Every year, different individuals have had the honor of being switch pullers: CROYA members, mayors, residents, and even students from Lake Forest High School.
The history of Market Square is unique. Robert Meers and John Coleman bought the property in 1983 and donated Market Square to the city to be used as a public park. This made Market Square protected to historically resemble the appearance of the park designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw in 1915. Market Square is one of the first integrated and artfully designed outdoor shopping centers in this country.
The lit tree is an inspiring sight.
Market Square was one of the first retail centers planned around motor vehicles. Constructed in 1916, architect Howard Van Doren Shaw blended Italian Renaissance, Tyrolean, Bavarian, Flemish, and English architecture on the three sides of the U, which enclose an attractive park area that contains a fountain that was later dedicated to this Square's architect.
The City of Lake Forest, along with the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation, is looking forward to hosting this event again in Market Square for the community. More information can be found at LFParksandRec.com.