Holiday events are happening! Read about those and other important news.

Don’t miss out on McHenry County’s holiday festivities!

Saying that McHenry County is home to holiday events is like saying that a beach is home to grains of sand.

McHenry County’s calendar, from Thanksgiving through Christmas, is packed full of holiday events hosted by our local businesses, community groups, towns, theaters – you name it.

Many of you undoubtedly have your favorite local holiday events and destinations – but there are so many more, right outside your door, just waiting for you to discover them.

For a great list of local holiday-themed events, check out the special events calendar put together by our friends at Naturally McHenry County – you can find it by clicking here.

Regional education office seeking sponsors for 2023 spelling bee

The McHenry County Regional Office of Education is seeking sponsors to help cover the cost of putting on the county spelling bee, and sending the winner to the 2023 Scripps National Championship.

The county spelling bee, held at McHenry County College, will take place Wednesday, March 22, and the champion of the local competition will represent McHenry County in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which takes place in National Harbor, Md., from May 28 to June 2.

Elementary and middle schools have until Dec. 31 to enroll in the spelling bee by clicking here. Upon enrolling and paying the entry fee, schools will have access to study lists, rules, and other learning materials.

If your business wants to help sponsor the event, click here to learn how.

CMAP seeking nominees for 2023 Regional Excellence Awards

Do you know any municipal leaders, nonprofits, transportation agencies, or advocates whose projects deserve recognition?

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is looking to honor those to have worked to improve the quality of life in northeastern Illinois. The CMAP Regional Excellence Awards Program offers a unique opportunity to have exceptional work recognized by peers across northeastern Illinois.

You can learn more about the categories and submit nominations by clicking here. The deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 16.

Shopping local for Christmas? Check out McHenry County Made!

It should be fairly obvious to regular readers of Resume McHenry County that we believe Small Business Saturday should be observed year-round – especially through the holidays.

Shopping local means much more than enjoying top-quality artisan products and unique food and services. It supports McHenry County small businesses, protects McHenry County jobs, and helps create new ones.

Naturally McHenry County has created a special designation – “McHenry County Made” – that it bestows on local businesses making great local products. They’ve come up with a list of their holiday favorites you can find by clicking here, and you can click here to find a complete list of McHenry County Made businesses to enjoy year-round!

Black Friday? Let’s try Green Friday!

Volunteers worked off their Thanksgiving dinners spending Black Friday clearing brush and doing other restoration work at six McHenry County Conservation District properties.

The MCCD relies on volunteers to help remove invasive species and clear brush to keep its sites beautiful and healthy, and we’d like to take the time to thank them for all they do.

Restoration Days are scheduled throughout the year at the MCCD’s lands. You can find the schedule, and sign up to volunteer for any of them, by clicking here.

Merry Cary Festival turns season bright this Sunday

It’s Cary’s turn this weekend to ring in the holiday season with the Merry Cary Festival and Parade!

The celebration takes place in downtown Cary from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, and includes a petting zoo, pony rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides, stocking and cookie decorating, and of course, visits with Santa Claus and story time with Mrs. Claus.

The parade kicks off down Main Street at 1 p.m., during which the events will be closed.