Above / Sunday morning, Nov. 22, 2015, provided a sunny view of Naper Lights and all the progress accomplished by volunteers at Naper Settlement during the blustery snowstorm on Saturday. See gallery of PN photos below.
UPDATE, Nov. 25, 2016 / The landscape at Naper Settlement near the Martin Mitchell Mansion now glistens after dark certain evenings with another holiday display of Naper Lights, a gift to the community from the Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise. The colorful illumination continues from 5-9PM Thursday through Saturday evenings and 5-7PM on Sundays in December and continuing through Dec. 31. For 2016, the magical light show is complimented by Christkindlmarket, 11AM-7PM Thursdays, 11AM-9PM  Fridays and Saturdays and 11AM-6PM on Sundays.
Above / During a preview evening, Nov. 24, when the bright white and colorful illumination was tested in advance of Naper Lights being turned on for the community, Mayor Steve Chirico and Ryan Hill Realty’s Jack Persin were on hand to flip the switch. Carolers in 19th-century attire enhanced the festivities with traditional seasonal songs—and then some.Â
Nov. 21, 2015 / During the third year of Naper Lights, members of Naperville Sunrise Rotary aim to make the holiday season even brighter than last year at Naper Settlement, a 12-acre outdoor history museum in the heart of Naperville.
This past week, Rotarians and crews of volunteers by the dozens have been preparing for opening night on Fri., Nov. 27, over Thanksgiving weekend.
Early Sat., Â Nov. 21, many high school student volunteers arrived during a snowy morning to string lights around trees and help where needed. Cherry pickers lifted some professional volunteers high into the trees to hang stars.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have professional electricians volunteering to help us,” said Sunrise Rotarian John Colucci, mindful how the third event has been growing and attracting attention since Naper Lights first was launched in Central Park two years ago.
Click any photo to enlarge. (The last two photos are out of PN’s files. Until after the public event opens Nov. 27, PN hesitates to post photos of the 2015 illumination. Be sure to include a tour of Naper Lights on your “things to do” this holiday season.)
[shareprints gallery_id=”51768″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”2″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” comments=”false” sharing=”true”]Above Photo Gallery / Naperville Sunrise Rotarian Tom Miers was among dozens of Rotarians and other volunteers who gave time on Nov. 21 to help set up holiday light displays. Miers who worked on the display of carolers likely blew out a few candles to a familiar tune since Nov. 21 also is his birthday.
Also new this year is a warming hut that was donated by Carlson Construction, thanks to a contact by Rotarian Geoff Roehll. Â Already emblazoned with the Rotary logos by Rotarian Shane Beard, the warming hut provided a cozy place for Rotarian Dawn Newman to welcome student volunteers, give assignments and offer donuts with news that a pizza lunch also would be served.
The illumination of the historic village, a fundraiser of Naperville Sunrise Rotary, will feature several giant holiday light displays including a new Baroque Deer, decorated light poles, lighted candy canes and trees within the grounds of the museum village. The glowing Holiday Tree will expand this year to a height of 22 feet, 8 feet taller than last year.
Organizers said one of the new holiday light displays will be set to music through a generous donation of an area resident, as well as ambient holiday music throughout the evening.
Naper Lights will begin Friday evening of Thanksgiving weekend
Beginning Fri., Nov. 27, from 5-9PM, Naper Lights will turn on at Naper Settlement, the city’s outdoor living history village. The display will run Thursdays through Saturdays until Dec 31.
The bright lights also will be on during Christmas week from Mon., Dec. 21 through Sat., Dec. 26, glistening with entertainment from local choral groups on several evenings during the season.
Also new this year are several live trees, decorated by area elementary schools, all vying for the People’s Choice Award and a cash prize to the Home & School Association of the winning school. Visitors may vote on site when they visit the grounds. The decorated trees are set alongside Century Memorial Chapel near the wrought iron fence.
As is tradition this time of year, Â Naper Settlement offers several holiday-themed events, including Jingle Bell Jamboree on December 19, featuring cookie decorating, live holiday music, tours of Mitchell Mansion and holiday traditions for the whole family. Â For details, visit napersettlement.org.
Bundle up for a stroll through Naper Settlement
Entrance will be through the Settlement Chapel gate on Aurora Avenue. Parking is available after hours at the Municipal Center parking lot. Rotarians will staff the event and offer hot chocolate and cookies in a new heated, decorated warming house.
Admission to the event is free of charge to the public. Free-will donations will be welcomed.
Water Street District along with Ryan Hill Realty are the Presenting Sponsors of Naper Lights for the third season. Additional sponsors include Naperville Bank & Trust, Advanced Data Technologies, BBM Incorporated, Klein Hall, Belgios Catering, DeEtta’s Bakery. CB Conlin, and Fastsigns in cooperation with the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Naperville Development Partnership. Naper Lights is produced, in part, by a City of Naperville Special Events and Cultural Amenities (SECA) Grant.
Funds raised from the event at Naper Settlement will benefit local, county and international projects supported by Sunrise Rotary, a club dedicated to the health, safety, education and mentorship of young people, Colucci said.
For more information about Naper Lights 2015, visit www.naperlights.com.
Naper Settlement is located at 523 S. Webster Street, along Aurora Avenue, just steps from downtown Naperville.
