From the Editors
If drinking hot chocolate and riding on an open air trolley covered in lights and filled with carolers sounds like a good way to celebrate the Christmas season, then you won’t want to miss the Center City Trolley Rides coming to Champaign-Urbana this month.
Champaign Center Partnership has organized the experience and the Champaign Park District is providing the trolley for three Saturdays, in December (6, 13, and 20) from 3-5 p.m. Trolley pick up and drop off will be in the parking lot in front of the Orpheum Children’s Museum. The rides are FREE, non-ticketed, and are first come, first served. (UPDATE: Boarding will take place at the far south end of the Orpheum parking lot (in front of Soma). Please check in with staff or volunteers when you arrive to get your “boarding pass”.)
Riders will enjoy a free ride through Downtown, Midtown and Campustown along with hot chocolate and cookies. Local performers will entertain throughout the tour. Entertainment for the trolley will change each Saturday and will include carolers and special guests. On Dec. 20, Olaf will join the riders!
Erin Lippitz, Executive Director of Champaign Center Partnership, said they wanted to provide a fun way for people to see Center City, which includes Downtown, Midtown and Campustown districts.
“We know many people are unaware of some of the great shops and restaurants that we have in these areas and many families don’t visit Campustown at all while students are here,” she added.
Lippitz said the trolley rides offer an opportunity for people to avoid crowds and driving, enjoy refreshments, be entertained by local performers, and explore Dowtntown, Midtown and Campustown districts,.
“It’s a fun way to see Center City, it’s different, and it’s free!” Lippitz said.
Riders will be taken down Neil Street onto University and onto First into Campustown and Green Street, passing many locally-owned businesses and restaurants along the way that Lippitz describes as “hidden gems.”
Lippitz said she hopes the trolley riders will see a business that interests them or that they’ve never been to before and return on their own to check it out.
For more information about Center City Trolley Rides and other local events hosted by Champaign Center Partnership, go to www.chamaigncenter.com.