2014 UPDATE / After dark on weekends beginning Nov. 28, 2014, the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise will host Naper Lights at Naper Settlement, Chicagoland’s outdoor history museum. Admission is free of charge. Naper Settlement is located on 13 acres near downtown Naperville. Find the entrance at Porter and Webster Street.
2013 Post / What do macaroni and cheese and holiday light displays have in common? Tidings of comfort and joy with fond memories of good times!
Tuesday evening, the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise put that combination together when members held a Mac & Cheese Contest at the Naperville Woman’s Club, featuring recipes crafted by five downtown eateries. Showcasing one of America’s favorite comfort foods, the first-time event was hosted to preview the service club’s new fundraiser, Naper Lights in Central Park, scheduled to open tonight.
Attendees also were treated to craft beer by Naperville’s brewery, Solemn Oath, as well as a variety of fine wines and other beverages. The dessert table offered cookies and cupcakes provided by the Naperville Woman’s Club with a promotion about their upcoming Winter Wonderland Cupcake Decorating Contest for young children, slated from 3-5PM Sat., Dec. 14.
Seasonal music was provided by choral ensembles from Waubonsie Valley High School.
The large audience packed the NWC Clubhouse where Catch 35, Hugo Frog Bar & Fish House, Q BBQ, Heaven on Seven and the Wise Boxer & Pour House offered samples to all. On stage, a table was set for five judges—Marquette Companies developer Nick Ryan, Ryan Hill Realty’s Teresa Ryan, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Fieseler, Naperville Park District Executive Director Ray McGury and Sunrise Rotarian Sean Hastings— to savor and select their favorite recipe.
While the judges were casting their ballots, many comments in the crowd were overheard with comparisons of their choices.
“I love the andouille sausage taste and the kick in Heaven on Seven’s entry.”
“My mom’s tuna macaroni and cheese casserole never tasted so good! The ones served tonight have crab and lobster.”
“What a great alternative to a chili cook-off. It’s a simply wonderful concept.”
After all the votes were tallied, Sunrise Rotary President John Nania announced that Catch 35 was the winner and he presented the chef with the “2013 Rotary Naper Lights Best Mac & Cheese” trophy.
Then everyone was welcomed to bundle up and head outside for the illumination of the lights in Central Park.
Earlier Nania had explained that his Rotary club’s new fundraiser is a pilot program. Founding Sponsors will be recognized over the first three years of the event, scheduled to grow in 2014.
“We needed to get going this going this year as we plan an even larger event for the future,” he said. “These displays are very successful and exciting in other parts of the country and we see the experience growing to a major presence in the coming years.”
The engaging display will feature several giant holiday light displays, decorated light poles and trees as well as a lighted arched entry leading from the Washington Street entrance to the park. The lighted gazebo will offer hot chocolate to warm visitors as they stroll around Central Park.
“This is just a beginning,” said Rotarian Geoff Roehll who helped to organize the new attraction in downtown Naperville. “We plan to add more light displays and grow it every year.”
Naper Lights, a pedestrian-friendly holiday light display, is scheduled to light up Central Park on weekends from Nov. 29 until New Year’s Day.
Admission to the outdoor event is free to the public. Free-will donations to Naperville Sunrise Rotary will be welcomed. Funds raised will be used to address unmet needs and help support local, county and international projects that address health, safety, education and mentorship of young people, Nania said.
Marquette Companies, developers of the Water Street District, along with Ryan Hill Realty, are the presenting sponsors of Naper Lights, a pedestrian-friendly event to brighten the holidays.
“We love the holidays and we’re excited to help brighten residents’ celebration and enhance the experience of visiting, shopping and dining in downtown Naperville,” said Nick Ryan, Managing Partner of Marquette Companies, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown. “To be able to help Sunrise Rotary raise money to help young people who will be our future leaders is icing on the cake.”
For more information and sponsorship opportunities for Naper Lights 2013 visit www.napervillesunrise.org.
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