Have you ever seen a holiday light display choreographed to music? I haven’t — but I plan to soon, since there’s one right here in town.

A Kankakee resident named Chris contacted me today to let me know about the light display he has at his home, at 1460 S. Sixth Ave.

The computer-controlled light show is set to music, and visitors tune their car radio to 107.3 FM to listen. The light display begins at 6 p.m. daily, and runs until 9 p.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends.

If you would like more information, check out the Web site at www.lightsonsixth.com. The site includes a map to the home, plus a list of the songs you’ll hear.

Here’s more from Chris, including a note about a suggested donation to Salvation Army:

“As far as I know, it is the only computer controlled Christmas Display in Kankakee County. To my knowledge, there are only about 30 in the entire state. The display is more of a show. I have 14 songs choreographed to the lights. You tune your car radio to 107.3FM and watch the lights dance to the music. This is our second year doing this. One new feature this year is we are using the display as a collection point for food for the Salvation Army. That is something I’d like people to know before they come see the show.”

Need a last-minute Christmas gift? Several community organizations will be selling Kankakee-themed items on Saturday at the Kankakee Public Library. Here’s more from the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce:

What: Kankakee Holiday Mart @ the Library
Where: Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant St. in Kankakee
When: Saturday, December 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shop for unique Kankakee-themed last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers! Dozens of vendors and community organizations from Kankakee will be at the Library with items for sale, including …

• Kankakee Community College items
• Junior League of Kankakee County cookbooks
• Riverview Historic District shirts and framed prints
• Kankakee ornaments
• Ken Stark books
• Vic Johnson books
• Jim Ridings books
• Framed pictures from Frame World
• YMCA gift baskets
• Kankakee High School sweatshirts
• Bishop McNamara Catholic High School sweatshirts
• Kankakee County Museum items
• Kankakee Public Library coffee mugs, tote bags and postcards
• … and more!

Acorn Design Studio in Kankakee held an open house and Business After Hours yesterday in celebration of their one-year anniversary. (I wrote about it on this blog earlier this week.)

I took several photos and uploaded them to the Your Pix section of this site. I’ve also uploaded two here. One is a photo of the beautiful jewelry they have for sale; the other is a photo of the building’s exterior.

Acorn Design Studio in Kankakee

Acorn Design Studio in Kankakee

On Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., the Kankakee Valley Performance Choir will present WISH at the Lincoln Cultural Center in Kankakee. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students.

Here’s more from Robin Seaton, who sent me the information:

I invite anyone interested in attending either show to call me at (815) 298-0823 or email robin.seaton@olivet.edu. … If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, you will be after watching this AMAZING musical performance!!! … It’s through the support of community members like you that make this extraordinary event possible. By purchasing tickets, your demonstrating your commitment to the arts in our community, and this is YOUR INVITATION to join us! Thank you in advance for your support and we hope you and your extended family will be able to join us for the wonderful Christmas Extravaganza “WISH”.

The Christian Church of Manteno will be holding their annual Bethlehem Walk this weekend. Hours are:

• Friday 6pm – 9pm
• Saturday 5pm – 9pm
• Sunday 1pm – 6pm

Here’s more from their Web site:

Visit the ancient city of Bethlehem and take a walk through her streets. Word is that the Messiah has been born here. Be a shopper in the old world marketplace. Join the vendors and tradesmen. Come at our expense. Sample the cuisine. See a living nativity with real animals! Please be our guests for a BETHLEHEM WALK. …

Bethlehem Walk has . . . an interpreter for the deaf, available upon request; food “for sale” in the marketplace; live animals; handicrafts “for sale” in the marketplace; a real baby “Jesus.”

The event is free and handicapped-accessible. The church is at 401 E. Third St.

Acorn Design Studio is hosting an open house and Business After Hours on Thursday in celebration of their first-year anniversary.

Acorn’s home is a restored building at 815 S. McMullen Dr. in Kankakee. (Longtime area residents may remember it as the old South Side Pharmacy.) They specialize in unique and whimsical holiday decor, much of which is made in American and some of which is made locally.

The open house begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. According to a flyer for the event (click here to see the pdf), they “will be serving treats all day and beginning at 5 p.m. will host a wine and cheese reception until 7 p.m.” The Kankakee Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Business After Hours reception, but non-Chamber members are welcome to attend.

Also, there’s no need to wait for the open house. Stop in and do some Christmas shopping during their special holiday hours, which are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. They’re open late on Thursdays, when they don’t close until 7 p.m. The holiday hours are good through Dec. 28.

Santa made an appearance at the Depot in downtown Kankakee tonight. His sleigh must have been in the shop, because he hitched a ride on a Kankakee fire truck instead. Click here to watch video of Santa arriving and helping light the city Christmas tree.

The Paramount Theatre in Kankakee will be presenting a free showing of the film “Ice Age 2: The Meltdown” next Saturday (Dec. 13) at 10 a.m. Here’s more from The Paramount:

The free holiday event is co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and Classic Cinemas, an independent chain on movie theatres located throughout Northern Illinois and suburban Chicago.

In addition to the free movie, Santa will make a special appearance! Families are encouraged to bring their cameras and wish lists when visiting Santa to enjoy the full Classic Cinemas holiday experience.

The Village of Bradley will be holding their 23rd annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday (Dec. 5). It begins at 6:30 p.m. and will travel down Broadway Street. The theme is “Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.”

For more info call (815) 936-5100.

The Kankakee Valley Adult Reading and Literacy Program is holding a pancake supper/fundraiser on Tuesday. Here are the details:

When: 4-7 p.m.
Where: McDonald’s on Route 45/Main St. in Bourbonnais
Cost: $5/adult and $3/children

About the organization: “The KVARLP provides a broad range of tutoring needs for under-educated adults, which helps to make them a productive part of our community!”