Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our 'Deck the House' contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16.  Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. So, what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to get your holiday …

•  2 Comments
• Videos (1)

Mokena Patch Holiday Guide

Find local holiday news, events and deals on Mokena Patch.

POLL: Are We Losing Thanksgiving as a Holiday?

With retailers starting to think about opening on the holiday, has Turkey Day become just another day? Tell us what you think.

Earlier this week, Steve Grzanich, an afternoon anchor and reporter for WBBM-AM (780), tweeted an interesting thought: Are we losing #Thanksgiving as a holiday? Christmas season starts now before Halloween w/very little mention of Turkey Day. #stoprushingxmas Right now, grocery stores have limited—and sometimes full—hours on Thanksgiving. Retailers are opening earlier and earlier to catch the Black Friday wave. Target is opening at midnight, and Toys R Us will be open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.  Has Thanksgiving lost its holiday appeal? Will it eventually become as significant as Arbor Day or Columbus Day? Have we lost it as a day off to be spent with family and copious amounts of food? Take our poll and tell us what you think in our …

•  18 Comments
• Photos (1)

Happy Holidays From Mokena Patch

Holiday Wrap-Up: Stories from the Season

A look back at our holiday coverage.

Christmas time is here...and soon it will be gone for another year. Let's take a look back at Mokena Patch's coverage of this most spirited of seasons.

• Photos (1)

SouthScene

South Suburbs Expects 'Dickens' of A Week

Scrooge and company come to life in several productions throughout the region.

The South Suburbs' acclaimed Chansonettes present a seasonal selection of three-part harmony treasures to the Mokena Public Library from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11. This free concert will include many favorites including I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, December Lights and Celebrate Hanukkah to name a few. For those who want to join in the vocal festivities, audience participation will be encouraged during some of the musical numbers. The library is located at 11327 W. 195th St., Mokena. More details are at (708) 479-9663. Reservations are not required. Lincoln-Way East High School continues the district's acclaimed holiday Madrigal festivals at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 followed by an 11:30 a.m. matinee Dec. 12  on campus, 201 Colorado Ave., …

• Photos (4)

Happy Holidays From Mokena Patch

VIDEO: Christmas Fest Rouses Revelers

From arts and crafts at Mokena Elementary School to pictures with Santa, the holiday season was welcomed in every which way during Saturday's community-wide event.

It's hard to get in the holiday spirit when the weather is still mild, the decorations are still sparse and the Thanksgiving turkey hasn't even thawed yet. But Mokena got a head start in heralding the season on Saturday at the Chamber of Commerce's 16th Annual Christmas Fest.  The day-long event included a makeshift workshop at Mokena Elementary School, an open house among Mokena's downtown shops, musicians and carolers from Grace Fellowship Church and, of course, a traditional parade and tree-lighting ceremony.

• Videos (1)