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The City of LaGrange kicked off the start of the Christmas season this past Monday with its third annual “Deck the City Halls” event.

City employees were treated to coffee from Local Groundz and the all-day event allowed them to help decorate city hall and enjoy several holiday-themed snacks.

Katie Van Schoor, City of LaGrange marketing/communications manager, said employees from all over the city came out to help decorate and take part in the festivities.

“This is our city employees doing something together for the community,” Van Schoor said.

“We had the big bucket truck up here this morning, and we were all helping to put the wreaths on.”

Van Schoor said this event is about more than just getting the city employees in the holiday spirit. It is also for the community of LaGrange.

“We want people to know that this is their city hall… we want them to come in to know that they’re welcome,” she said.

One way community members can contribute and get into the holiday spirit is the Wishing Trees that are outside of City Hall.

“These are the wishing trees… There’ll be a wooden box that [city employees] made, and it will say take one and make a wish for the year.”

Van Schoor said anyone is welcome to add a wish to the tree, and it will be ready for the public this Thursday during the annual Christmas parade.

Van Schoor said Sweetland on Ice will also be open during the parade and she hopes community members will enjoy it before or after the parade.

“Sweetland on ice will be open… We’ll be open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.,” Van Schoor said.

“We offer beer, wine, and spirits. You can sit, hang out and have a drink in front of the fire pit… Go to the parade and [come] back.”