DECEMBER
The Aroma Park American Legion Post 1019 is currently assembling care packages to be sent to the troops of the 333rd Military Police Company and the 404 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and they are seeking hand warmers, energy drinks and various snack items to include in these boxes which will be shipped on December 17th. If you would like to demonstrate your support for these troops this Christmas by donating these items, you are asked to drop them off by Tuesday, December 16th at the Aroma Park Legion, located at 739 South Sandbar Road in Kankakee.
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Christmas Day, Inc. will once again provide Holiday festivities along with a free catered dinner to anyone who would like to attend on Christmas Day, December 25th from 11am to 1pm at 10 different locations in Kankakee County. Just choose the one closest to your home. This meal is dine-in only, no carry-outs. The dinner is free but in order to attend, you must RSVP BY NOON on Friday, December 19th by calling (815) 614-2697. To view a list of locations, please visit the “Christmas Day, Inc.” Facebook page.
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Local nonprofit organizations, “CIRKA” and “Still I Rise” are teaming up to host a Winter Care Package Donation Drive on Friday, December 12th from 6pm until midnight at “Good Vibrations Bar and Restaurant”, 1680 West Station Street in Kankakee. Please bring blankets, socks, hats, gloves, hand warmers, hygiene products, baby diapers, wipes, formula and other cozy essentials to be donated to those in need this winter. There will be live music by Tocarra and Beeso and Friends.
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The River Valley String Ensemble will perform their annual Christmas Concert on Friday, December 12th beginning at 7pm inside the Bradley Public Library on North Fulton Avenue. The event will also include the River Valley Choral Ensemble, led by Bonnie Brewer. Expect audience participation and singalongs. Christmas treats will be served after the concert. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
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Urban Prairie Community Church on Southcreek Drive in Manteno will host a Christmas Movie Night on Friday, December 12th. They’ll be showing “Elf”, starring Will Ferrell, with popcorn and hot cocoa provided. They will also offer a free professional family photo opportunity. There will be a time for fellowship and games at 6pm, and the film starts at 7pm. Feel free to bring along your pillows and blankets.
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The Salvation Army of Kankakee is currently accepting new, unwrapped toys for their annual Angel Tree Christmas toy drive until Friday, December 12th at 5pm. Your generous toy donations can be brought to the Salvation Army at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday, or dropped off here at our radio station where we have one of their toy barrels in the breezeway to our lobby at 292 North Convent in Bourbonnais. These toys will be provided to the children of struggling Kankakee County parents in time for Christmas.
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The Kankakee Christmas Parade is set to take place on Saturday, December 13th and it will step off from North Schuyler Avenue at 4:30pm, ending on South West Avenue. View the full parade route on the City of Kankakee Facebook page. Before the parade, stop by and shop the Mistletoe Market at Festival Square and the Winter Market at the Kankakee Public Library, both happening from 10am to 2pm. Our own Mike Ruble will be a parade announcer again this year.
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Local nonprofit group “Still I Rise” will host its 12th annual “Healthy for the Holidays” Health and Wellness Seminar on Saturday, December 13th from noon until 2pm at Rigo’s Place on North Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee. Hosted by Aaron and Tocarra Robinson, the doors open at 11:30am. Speakers include Jesse Jackson Jr. and Dr. Rodney Alford. There will be a catered lunch, raffles and giveaways. Attendees must RSVP by December 8th by purchasing a $65 ticket through Eventbrite.
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The Peotone “Christmas in the Village Craft Vendor Event” will be held Saturday, December 13th from 8am until noon inside the Peotone High School on North Street.
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Another Masonic Lodge All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 13th from 9am until noon at the Chebanse Lodge of St. Anne #429, located at 80 East First South Street in Chebanse. They’ll also have sausage, coffee, juice and milk. The breakfast is $10 but kids 10 and under can eat for just 5 bucks.
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The last local Gun and Sportsman’s Show of the season will take place this weekend in the Expo Center at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds. It will be open Saturday, December 13th from 8am to 3pm and Sunday, December 14th from 8am to 2pm.
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The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a “Breakfast with Santa” event on Sunday, December 14th from 8am until noon at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church on South Main Street in Manteno. Children can visit with Santa Claus while you enjoy a free breakfast. All monetary donations accepted will go to support the Manteno Food Pantry.
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The American Legion Post 766 Auxiliary invites your children ages 12 and younger to “Cookies and Cocoa with Santa” on Sunday, December 14th from 1 to 3pm upstairs at the Bradley Legion on West Broadway. During this free event kids can each have a cookie, make a craft, and visit with Santa Claus. Cash donations will be accepted, as well as items for the Manteno Veterans Home, and toys for “Toys For Tots”.
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The River Valley Wind Ensemble will perform a Free Holiday Concert conducted by Dr. David Conrad at 3pm on Sunday, December 14th inside the Larsen Fine Arts Building on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. Come early to enjoy some Christmas Carols performed by the River Valley Choral Ensemble beginning at 2:30pm.
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The Community Arts Council of Kankakee County and the Village of Bourbonnais will host their annual “Miracle at The Grove” event inside the Bourbonnais Municipal Center at 700 Main Street Northwest on Sunday, December 14th from 11am to 3pm. Enjoy free photos with Santa, free face–painting, carolers, hot cocoa and a coloring contest. More information available at villageofbourbonnais.com
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Our local Menards home improvement store on Christine Drive in Bradley is currently serving as a toy drive drop site until Monday, December 15th. They have a drop box near the exit door to collect new and unwrapped presents for less fortunate children in our community.
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The Kankakee High School invites the community to attend “Miracle on Jeffery Street”, a free winter concert taking place Thursday, December 18th in the high school auditorium at 1200 West Jeffery Street. This will begin at 7pm and feature a performance from their talented choir, band, dance, theater, orchestra and more. Admission is free. Be sure to come early for the art show that will be held in the gallery beginning at 6pm.
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The Limestone Township Public Library at 2701 West Tower Road in Kankakee will host a “Prince and Princess Tea” for families to attend on Saturday, December 20th at noon. Children can enjoy fancy snacks and make a craft while the Disney classic, “Frozen” plays on their big screen TV. Dressing up for this event is highly encouraged.
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The Limestone Township Public Library will host an Adult Craft Night on Tuesday, December 30th beginning at 6pm. Attendees will create their own masterpieces on canvas while watching a classic Bob Ross video for instruction. Register by calling (815) 939-1696 or speak with the front desk at 2701 West Tower Road in Kankakee.
JANUARY
The Grant Park PTO will be hosting a daddy/daughter dance with a “Candyland” theme on Saturday, January 17th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Hamman Center on West Taylor Street. They’ll have a DJ, raffles and photo opportunities available. Admission is $15 per daddy/daughter couple, then $2 for each additional child. Tickets will be sold at the door.
FEBRUARY
The Zonta Club of Kankakee will host their annual “Party Gras” event on Saturday, February 7th at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee. This evening will feature a dinner buffet and a cash bar, raffles, an auction, and live music from the South Side Social Club. Doors open at 5 o’clock and dinner begins at 6pm. It’s $50 per person with funds going toward local, national and international service projects that support women and girls. Find ticket info on their Facebook page or under “Events” at zontakankakee.com
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