DU QUOIN, Ill (WSIL) -- When the Holiday Lights Fair had to cancel its visits from Santa this year, the City of Du Quoin stepped in. Organizers say things are "a little different," but the tradition of celebrating Christmas remains the same.
The Lights Fair held at the State Fairgrounds has a history in the region of attracting thousands each year.
"It's a tradition, it's been going on 21 years," says Mayor Guy Alongi. The city called around to come up with a plan to keep as much of that tradition as possible.
With the Expo Hall having to remain closed this season, kids can catch Santa at City Hall the first three weekends in December where they can get pictures, register to win prizes, and even drop off letters in Santa's bright-red dropbox downtown on Main Street.
"I think it's a win, win," says Alongi. "We extend Holiday Lights downtown, we've got a beautiful downtown, too bad the restaurants aren't open, but it's a way to get people in our downtown area."
Tourism Commission volunteer Amy James says families still have the three-miles of lights and displays to enjoy at the Fairgrounds, just without the vendors, food trucks and Mister Clause.
"They do still get to see Santa, it's just a little bit different, everything is a little bit different this year," says James. She says despite the changes, surpassed last year's numbers.
"A lot of kids came through," says James. "I think just people trying to just get them out of the house, do something different."
Alongi says the community has pulled together to help offer a "bit of normalcy" to this Christmas during the pandemic.
"Come to Du Quoin and visit the Holiday Lights, it's not going to be like it has in past years, we hope to bring it back next year full swing," says Alongi, adding, "Social distance and come out and have a good time in our city."
Santa at City Hall will be behind a custom made plexi-glass shield. The Holiday Lights Fair is one of the biggest fundraising events for the Du Quoin tourism commission, with the display is open each night from 5:30 to 9:30 and costs $10 per car.
