The first-ever Holly Days Festival will be held this Sat., Dec. 3 at Harrer Park in Morton Grove from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..

The festival will host a variety of holiday activities, including; dog sledding, holiday themed tractor rides, ice sculptures, a Santa Claus, live entertainment, Christmas tree sales, and much more. Niles West a cappella groups will be performing as part of the entertainment.

Junior and life-long Morton Grove resident Jennifer Si is ecstatic about the upcoming event, and she hopes to turn it into a new tradition for her family.

“Morton Grove has never really had an event like this, at least while I’ve lived here, so I’m really excited to go and try it out. It seems like it is going to be a lot of fun. I’m hoping to get to go with my family, but if not, then I’ll definitely go with my friends,” said Si.

Morton Grove mayor Dan DiMaria thinks the Holly Days Festival will be a great way for families to bond, and he is hoping that there will be a great turn out this weekend.

“I would say that these events are what makes a community a community. What better time of the year to come together [than now],” said DiMaria.

Sophomore Jana Marquez, who has lived in Morton Grove for the majority of her life, is really excited to attend the festival this weekend with her little sister.

“I’m so excited that an event like this is happening in Morton Grove,” Marquez said. “I’ll definitely be bringing my little sister to the Holly Days fest for some holiday fun in the community!”