Wheaton Christmas Parade is This Friday

The Wheaton Park District and the Downtown Wheaton Association in partnership with the City of Wheaton will kick off the holiday season with the Wheaton Christmas Parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 beginning at 6 p.m.
 
Immediately following the parade will be a park lighting ceremony to begin the Nights of Lights at Adams Park. Come join the Mayor and City Council to count down the lighting of the park, which will happen at approximately 7:15 p.m., then enjoy carolers and the magic of the Downtown Wheaton Association's Nights of Lights in Adams Park.  
 
Visit the City’s website for more information about road closures and parking for the parade. 

Wheaton Police Department Thanks Community for Stuff the Squad Donations

The Wheaton Police Department thanks the community for its generosity in supporting the recent Stuff the Squad event to benefit DuPage County Animal Services. Despite rainy and cold conditions, the Wheaton community showed up with plenty of items for DuPage County Animal Services during the event on Wednesday, Nov. 17. In fact, it was enough to fill two and a half squad cars!
 
The Wheaton Police Department greatly appreciates the community’s partnership in helping those in need throughout our community. 

Wheaton Welcomes Ditka’s Grill to Downtown Area

Cooking Oil Collection After Thanksgiving on Saturday, Nov. 27

The City and Wheaton’s Environmental Improvement Commission will be hosting a drop-off event for the collection of cooking oil on Saturday, Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. through 11 a.m. at the Public Works Storage Yard, 820 W. Liberty Drive. This is a drive-through event, where volunteers will unload items you bring to this collection from your car.
 
Strained corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil and any type of vegetable oil contained within a safely sealed container will be collected and turned into biofuel. Please note that this program cannot accept bacon or meat grease. The City reminds residents that pouring cooking oil down your sink’s drain can cause blockages as well as sanitary sewer backups and pouring anything down the storm drain is illegal.

Safe Cooking Habits for Thanksgiving

An estimated 2,300 residential building fires were reported to U.S. Fire Departments on Thanksgiving Day each year from 2017 to 2019 according to the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring.
 
Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing food, not just during the holiday season but all year.

• Never leave food that you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling unattended! If you leave the kitchen, even for a short amount of time, turn off the stove.
• When frying a Turkey make sure to not overfill oil in the fryer. Also, remember to only use a turkey fryer outdoors and make sure the turkey is completely thawed before frying.
• Create a “Kid Free Zone” of at least 3-feet around the stove or anywhere you are preparing hot food or drinks.
• Keep the area around the stove clear of towels, papers, potholders or anything that can burn
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you when food is ready.
• If there is a fire in the oven, keep the door shut and turn off the heat.
• Smother small flames in a pan by sliding a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and leave the lid over the pan while it cools.
• If you have any doubt fighting a small fire, just get out! Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

Additional Fire Safety information can be found on the NFPA website or on the Office of the State Fire Marshal website.

Holiday Light Recycling Program Returns

2021 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship is Dec. 7-12 at Cantigny Park

The DuPage Sports Commission/DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting the 2021 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship from Dec. 7 through Dec. 12 at Cantigny Park,1S151 Winfield Road.
 
Athletes from around the country will compete for 34 national titles, including categories qualifying for the Union UCI cyclocross world championships. Admission wristbands for the event can be purchased on the DuPage Sports Commission’s webpage and includes parking and admission for every day of the event.
 
Visit the DuPage Sports Commission website for more information about the event. 

“Light Up Wheaton” Holiday Display Contest Registration Open

Help Light Up Wheaton this year by simply putting out lights and decorations in the coming weeks by adding lights and decorations outside your home, business, or other organization for all to see. And, if you’d like to show off your displays as part of the Light Up Wheaton display contest, you can register through Friday, Dec. 10 on the Wheaton Park District's website. 

City Offering Multiple Employment Opportunities

The City currently seeks applicants for the following job opportunities:

• Administrative Assistant (Public Works)
• Media Assistant
• Crossing Guard
• Customer Service Representative
• Entry Level Police Officer
• Facilities Maintenance Technician
• Lateral Police Officer

To find out more about these opportunities and how to apply, visit https://www.wheaton.il.us/jobs.