CHICAGO (CBS) — Friday’s cold weather didn’t stop large crowds from visiting Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza the day after Thanksgiving, just one of the festivities that kicked off the holiday season in the Chicago area.
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, the holiday season continues to ramp up — at least for 7-year-old Ashton Jones, who climbed to the top of Navy Pier’s new two-story ice slide and came down at speeds that feel as fast as some others . car rides.
“It’s fast. Very fast. I’d say about 40 miles (an hour),” he said.
In Naperville, crowds braved long distances and the cold for the Holiday Parade of Lights
“I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana, so I drove three and a half hours here to do this,” said Courtney Groll.
Valerie Kufer snuggled under a blanket to watch the parade with her husband John.
“He said, ‘This is getting cold,’ so I said, ‘Okay, I’ll take whatever I can get,’” she said.
There was enough room for everyone to get a front row seat – although the best seat in the house did require some help, as 3-year-old Aria waited to see Santa from Rob Grant’s shoulders.
“He’s going to bring me lots of presents,” she said.
The money raised through sponsorships and donations during the Parade of Lights goes directly back into the community and funds non-profit organizations.
Even when the Christmas wish list is complete, spending time together may be the greatest gift.
