CASEY, Ill. — The 10th annual Candy Canes on Main festival returns to downtown Casey this weekend, celebrating a decade of holiday tradition with the debut of an ice skating rink and a full slate of activities designed to support local commerce.

The two-day event begins Friday, Dec. 5, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 6, transforming the area near the iconic “Big Pencil” and Main Street into a holiday hub.

Dory Martelli, a festival committee member and owner of The Traveling Mug, said organizers have worked to make the 10th anniversary the biggest yet. The most significant addition for 2025 is an ice skating rink, which Martelli hopes will add a “homey” atmosphere to the downtown corridor.

“That’s something that we’re super excited about having this year because we think it makes it very homey,” Martelli said. “I think that’s just gonna be a really great addition for the kids and all.”

Despite the new amenities, the core events remain free to the public. Martelli noted that community fundraising and sponsorships have covered the costs, allowing families to enjoy the ice skating and entertainment without purchasing tickets.

Friday Night Lights
The festivities kick off Friday at 4 p.m. with food trucks and “Starlight Shopping.” The highlight of the evening is the Lighted Holiday Parade at 6:30 p.m., featuring Santa Claus arriving on a fire truck. The parade is known for its agricultural flair, with local farmers decking out large tractors and combines in holiday lights. Martelli noted that registration for the parade has doubled compared to last year.

Following the parade, Santa will read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. from the Terra Cottage balcony, followed by a gift distribution.

Shopping Local
While the event provides entertainment, its primary mission since its founding in 2015 has been to support Casey’s small businesses. To encourage foot traffic into stores, organizers will hold a “Snowball Drop” on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Crowds will gather below the balcony to catch “snowballs” numbered and marked with business names. Each snowball corresponds to a discount or giveaway at a local shop, and a “golden snowball” awards the winner a basket of gift cards from every participating business.

“That’s kind of like the main reason why we started Candy Canes on Main… to get local business and support people locally,” Martelli said.

In addition to downtown storefronts, the Merry Market will open inside the Moriah Outreach Center, featuring 24 artisan vendors.

Saturday Activities and Character Breakfast
Saturday’s schedule begins with a Character Breakfast featuring Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger at the Masonic Lodge from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Tickets are $5 per person, including pancakes and sausage, with proceeds benefiting Safe Families for Children – East Central IL.

The rest of the day features live entertainment, including a performance by the Casey-Westfield High School Choir at 1 p.m. and a “Little Ballerinas” recital at 1:30 p.m.

Another new addition, “Santa’s Workshop,” will be located in the Corner Building. This reservation-based activity allows children to create DIY gifts, such as decorated mugs, for their parents or grandparents.

The event also features 11 food trucks and a variety of sweet treats, including gourmet stuffed cookies and cake jars. Voting for the “Santa’s Socks Art Competition,” presented by the Casey-Westfield 6th grade class, will take place throughout the day at the Visitor’s Center.