New Lenox Unveils Great Big Addition To Lights Display Ahead Of Christmas In The Commons

NEW LENOX, IL — After weeks of anticipation—and months of dropping some very subtle yet specific clues—the Village of New Lenox on Thursday revealed its newest addition to Christmas on the Commons.

A 40-ft. tall, lighted penguin adorably dubbed "Floyd" joins his gigantic jolly counterpart, set to glow and welcome visitors as they enter the Village's lights display. He's still not quite ready for his big debut—crews started to build him Thursday and have a few more pieces to go—but he should be chilling by Monday or Tuesday. Definitely before Thanksgiving, Mayor Tim Baldermann said.

The incredible display featuring huge ornaments, glowing characters, photo backdrops, is the focal point of the Village's Christmas in the Commons. The holiday celebration set for Saturdays and Sundays in December offers activities including visits from Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, synthetic skating rinks, food trucks and more.

The events and all the accompanying activities are free, and no admission tickets are required. Christmas in the Commons opens for the season Dec. 6 (more to come on that).

Baldermann said the Village budgets to add to the display annually, and "Floyd" was the big spend this year—$115,000.

Crews started to construct him Thursday, and he's not expected to be finished up until Monday or Tuesday, staff said.

His appearance Thursday was the answer to a puzzle the Village had been sharing—little penguin piece by little penguin piece—for months. There'd been a bunch of 'em, "left all over the place," Baldermann said.

The Village showcased the mystery in a playful series of videos on its Facebook page. In the series, they ponder where all the penguins were coming from, and what they meant.

• Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Zb6W67qqQdw
• Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f_oCD1bnALQ
• Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kIavqH6H1u0
  
• Part 4: https://www.facebook.com/reel/...