ROGERS PARK — Thousands of tiny sparkling lights are being set up along Sheridan Road and Loyola University in Rogers Park to help set the tone for the upcoming winter holidays.
Sponsored by the Rogers Park Business Alliance's Sheridan Road Special Service Area and the university, the lights will help illuminate a few blocks of the street and sidewalk for the 70,000 commuters who pass through the area daily by train, car, foot or on bike.
Paul Reise, manager of the service area, said he hopes the lights also make residents and commuters feel safer amid the "darkness of winter."
The lights will also usher in the third annual Polarpalooza, a two-day outdoor winter festival from noon-8 p.m. Dec. 3 and noon-6 p.m. Dec. 4 at 6601 N. Sheridan Road.
For $5 a person (or $10 for families) admission covers a range of activities: live entertainment, a skating rink, visiting Santa, access to local food vendors and a beer garden, ice sculpting, holiday movies and a merry-go-round, among others. On Dec. 4, a live reindeer will stop by for a meet and greet.
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