Attendees enjoy the Fantasyland displays Nov. 30 at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris Street in Lincoln Park.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – From Santa to his elves and reindeer, to magic snowmen and amusing penguins, Fantasyland brings the spirit of the holidays to life for visitors of all ages.
The event, held at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris St. through Christmas Eve, features animatronic displays from the former Ford Rotunda, as well as a decorated holiday tree contest and an extensive train layout on the second level.
Santa is also on hand to hear children’s wish lists and pose for professional photos.
Debbie Van Cleave, president of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, said Fantasyland, which began in 1964, has displays from the Ford Rotunda, including music boxes, a nativity and elves in Santa’s workshop.
“There are a lot of people that just like to mingle about and take their time,” she said.
The event, put on by the chamber, relies on volunteers to set up the displays, work the event, and pack it back up.
“It is a very generational thing,” Van Cleave said. “I came here as a kid and my grandfather was part of the chamber of commerce when I was a teenager and me and my friends would come here and help set up.”
She said the Festival of Trees, which this year features 26 trees decorated by businesses, groups and individuals, is one of her favorite parts of Fantasyland.
Entrants pay a fee to enter a decorated tree, and every year the proceeds are donated to a charitable organization.
This year, Lincoln Park Community Policing will receive the proceeds from the Festival of Trees.
Past recipients include the Lincoln Park High School Band, the Lincoln Park Ice Skating Club and the Lincoln Park Train Club.
The train club display on the second level changes daily, as members bring in different trains to run through the course each day of Fantasyland.
“I just love to see the kids’ faces,” Van Cleave said. “We have a scroll with the nice list, and watching the kids find their names on the list is pretty awesome, to see their reactions, and the little ones looking at the lights and their wonder is just great.”
Admission to Fantasyland is $2, and photos with Santa $5 each or $8 for two.
Fantasyland runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Dec. 23, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Santa waits with bemused patience while an assistant tries to position five children for the camera Nov. 30 during a visit to Fantasyland at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris St. in Lincoln Park.
Guests enjoy visiting the Lincoln Park Train Club exhibit on the second floor during a visit to Fantasyland Nov. 30 at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris St. in Lincoln Park.
Visitors enjoy the penguin room display during a visit to Fantasyland Nov. 30 at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris St. in Lincoln Park.
Visitors admire the Festival of Trees entries while waiting in line to see Santa during a Fantasyland visit Nov. 30 at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris St. in Lincoln Park.
Above and below, attendees enjoy the Fantasyland displays Nov. 30 at the Kennedy Memorial Building, 3240 Ferris St. in Lincoln Park.
