One of Niles’ longest standing holiday traditions continues this weekend with the lighting of the historic Amtrak Depot.

The 24th annual Hometown Christmas celebration will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Niles train station, which is located at 600 Dey St.

“It’s a great way to start the holiday season with bright and cheery smiles,” said Karen Persa, of the Four Flags Garden Club, an organization that maintains the depot’s garden beds and puts on Hometown Christmas.

During the free event, visitors will have an opportunity to meet Santa Claus and enjoy live music, homemade cookies, cider and candy, while waiting for the depot lights to be turned on at 6 p.m.

Niles Councilman Robert Durm will address the group and members of the Miss Niles Court will make an appearance.

A drawing will be held at 5:45 p.m. for two round-trip tickets, compliments of Amtrak, from Niles to Chicago. The raffle tickets are free and people must be present to win.

Members of the Four Flags Garden Club spent several hours Monday decorating the interior and exterior of the depot with fresh greens and window topiaries. Handmade ornaments were placed on a large Fraser Fir tree donated by Pinecrest Christmas Tree Farm, of Galien.

 

Longtime tradition

More than 20 years ago, a movie studio put lights on the roof of the Niles Amtrak Depot for the final scene in the John Candy film, “Only the Lonely.”

When filming was finished, the studio left the lights behind.

After that, the Four Flags Garden Club and others worked together in a campaign to “Keep the Lights Burning.”

This fundraising effort led to the rewiring of depot in order to use the lights, as the movie company had used portable generators.

The tradition of turning on the lights in advance of the Christmas season has continued ever since.

“It’s a great way to show community support based on all the efforts that the Four Flags Garden Club puts into maintaining the five garden beds on the historic Amtrak Depot grounds,” said Anita Heemer, garden club president.

Hometown Christmas is hosted on the first Saturday in December.