Bourbonnais hosts fifth annual holiday tree lighting event

The Village of Bourbonnais is set to begin its holiday season with the fifth annual Rockin’ Around the Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 4, at The Grove at Goselin Park. The event will start at 6 p.m. and is open to the public without charge.

Mayor Jeff Keast will lead the lighting of the village tree alongside Josh McDaniel, a teacher and coach at Liberty Intermediate School who has been named this year’s tree lighting honoree. Mayor Keast said, “Each year, the village recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond—whether through their citizenship, professional dedication or personal efforts—to make Bourbonnais a better place.”

He added, “Coach McDaniel exemplifies this spirit. He turned an unimaginable cancer diagnosis of a seventh-grade athlete into a powerful lesson on compassion and inclusion. Not only did the student join the basketball team, but with Coach McDaniel’s support, he was able to take the court and score a basket—putting cancer and chemotherapy on the sidelines.”

After the tree lighting ceremony, students from several local schools will perform holiday music. Participating groups include Alan Shepard Elementary School’s third grade under Emily Heald; Kankakee Area Career Center Pre-K under Peggy Buehler; Liberty Intermediate School’s fifth and sixth grade choir under Carrie Chaparro; and St. Paul’s Lutheran School grades K–8 under Amy Fox.

Santa Claus is scheduled to appear with members of the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District as well as police and public works departments. These agencies will offer a “touch-a-truck” activity for families attending.

The event also features access to The Rink, a newly opened seasonal synthetic ice rink where skate rentals are available in exchange for donations supporting the Shop with a Cop program.

Food options include hot chocolate from Connect Roasters served around six firepits, food from Chick-fil-A’s truck, and $1 small cones at Dairy Queen’s Bourbonnais location between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

No registration is required for this free community celebration.