Yorkville, Ill. – The first annual Yorkville holiday event Holiday Under the Stars is bringing more than just Santa and his reindeer to the Yorkville community. It’s also giving back in a number of ways.

Inspired by the season of giving, the United City of Yorkville Holiday Committee is offering an opportunity for community businesses, residents, etc. to donate to a great cause, and get something in return.

Through the Kendall County Hop on the Bus program, the city is hoping to bring to light kids who need help right here in Kendall County. Last year, over 400 students in Kendall County benefited from the Hop on the Bus program, which donates thousands of dollars worth of school supplies to kids who need them right here in Kendall County. The estimated cost of school supplies each year is $30 per student - which means over $12,000 was raised. This year, you too can be a part of a student’s success! Help our students reach the stars by supporting academic success.

“We chose to go with Hop on the Bus because it is a local organization, so people will know exactly how they are helping their own community,” said Glory Spies, community relations officer at the United City of Yorkville. “Also, it stresses how important their education is to these kids.”

Bill Powell, a Yorkville resident and the city’s treasurer, got involved not only because he wanted to give something back to his community, but because it resonated on a personal level. “I have three kids of my own, two of whom are teachers, and three great-grandkids,” he said.

He is especially excited for Holiday Under the Stars’ charitable component, because 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Kendall County Food Pantry’s Hop on the Bus program. Coordinating the program with Spies, both hope the project will show that there is a tremendous amount of support from the community.

The United City of Yorkville Holiday Committee is selling luminary packages from now until Nov. 23, to benefit Hop on the Bus. Luminaries will be sold in packages of 12 at $50 each. Individual luminaries will also be available at Holiday Under the Stars for $5 each. The city hopes to donate 100 percent of their proceeds to Hop on the Bus.

The United City of Yorkville holiday committee is hoping to surround the entirety of Town Square Park with luminaries during Holiday Under the Stars. The luminaries will be lit during the event in honor of all the school children that will have a bigger and brighter future because of everyone’s help and support.

“This is a tremendous help to us,” said Spies. “But we’re still looking for more contributions from the community.”

Please show your generosity this holiday season by sponsoring a set of luminaries. During the event, your luminaries will include a sign indicating that you are a sponsor. Once the event is over, your luminaries are yours to keep, to light up your home or organization for the holidays.

Holiday Under the Stars runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 in Town Square Park, Rt. 47 and Main Street. Stop by for the traditional tree-lighting ceremony, free hot drinks, live musical performances, ice carving, and plenty of activities for the whole family. Please feel free to call Glory Spies with any questions at 630.553.8564, or visit the city’s Web site at www.yorkville.il.us.

Yorkville, IL – The United City of Yorkville is spreading holiday cheer this year during the first annual Holiday Under the Stars, a free community event to kickoff the holiday season. Friday, November 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., join a host of family oriented activities in a festively decorated Town Square Park, Rt. 47 and Main Street. The event begins with the traditional tree-lighting ceremony and features live reindeer, horse and carriage rides, a live ice carver who’ll magically transform a block of ice into a piece of art, food, hot drinks and oh…ho, ho, ho, a special visit from you-know-who!

“This is the first ever holiday event hosted by the United City of Yorkville,” said Glory Spies, community relations officer, “and we’ve packed it full of festive events to get the entire community in the holiday spirit. We are very excited to have so much going on in one place!”

“We’ve pulled together a variety of community organizations to showcase their talents,” she said.

“I see Holiday Under the Stars as the start of a holiday tradition that will draw people in from all over, to visit our city during the holidays because of this event,” said Spies.

The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m., but all throughout the night, carriage rides will be available, as well as hot drinks and entertainment. Come see a live ice sculptor provide unique winter entertainment from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Then, come hear the Yorkville High School Madrigals perform a holiday program from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Chapel on the Green. If you have never seen this historical beauty, be sure to stop by, enjoy the majestic splendor of the chapel and hear the delightful sounds of the Madrigal singers.

Then get up and dance with the Yorkville Big Band holiday music extravaganza from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Parkview Christian Academy. All your musical holiday favorites—Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Deck the Halls, Here Comes Santa Claus and more will come alive as musical director Rick Falato leads the band in a performance that is sure to warm you up for the holidays!

Also available throughout the entire event will be the city’s first ever all-weather ice rink right here in town Square Park. You don’t even need to search for your skates. Everything you need for skating is included, and it’s free! Plus, what holiday event would be complete without jolly ol’ St. Nick himself? He and his reindeer will be here from 6 to 9 p.m., so be sure to stop by his house in the park for a visit!

“We also wanted to add a charitable component to this event, in keeping with the holiday season of giving,” said Spies.

Inspired by the season, the United City of Yorkville is lighting up Town Square during the event with luminaries to benefit the Kendall County Food Pantry’s “Hop on the Bus” program, which provides school supplies for children in Kendall County. “The luminary project is a way to get people involved in the community,” said Spies. “I wanted people who attend this event to have fun, but I also want people to know the importance of youth in our community. We all have a vested interest in educating our youth,” she added.

Anyone may purchase a set of luminaries for a donation, then take them home after the event to light up your home or organization for the holidays. All proceeds will be donated to “Hop on the Bus.” Forms for luminary purchase can be picked up at City Hall, 800 Game farm Road or by visiting the city’s Web site at www.yorkville.il.us/UnderTheStars/. Individual luminaries will also be available during Holiday Under the Stars for a $5 donation.

“A lot of people in the community are also excited about this event,” said Spies. “I’m getting quite a few calls from service organizations willing to volunteer and help us coordinate the event.” In fact, it seems the entire Yorkville area is getting together for Holiday Under the Stars. The Trinity United Methodist Church will be selling cookies, Plano Christian Church Victorian Lamplighters will be caroling before and after the tree-lighting ceremony, the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a raffle and coupon giveaway, and Jacob’s Well will be providing kids with a make-and-take ornament for the holidays. Also, from 5-6 p.m. on Nov. 30 only, Vignettes will be hosting a pre-event sale: pick up a free gift with purchase to kick off the Holiday Under the Stars event! Don’t miss all the exciting fun the whole community is providing!

“We are so grateful that so many organizations are participating in Holiday Under the Stars,” said Spies. “This is looking to be a great new tradition in Yorkville.”

This first ever United City of Yorkville holiday event will warm your spirit and kindle your heart. Be sure not to miss it! If you have any questions, please contact Glory Spies at 630.553.8564 or visit the city’s Web site at www.yorkville.il.us.

ABOUT THE AACVB:

The Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau serves as the tourism marketing and management organization for Aurora, Batavia, Hinckley, North Aurora, Montgomery, Plano, Sugar Grove and Yorkville. This not-for-profit organization provides numerous travel resources to visitors via the Web site at www.enjoyaurora.com and a toll-free number 1-800-477-4369