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Vernon Hills Board approves car show permit and buys artificial holiday tree
Summary
The Village approved a capped car-show special-event permit at Hawthorne Mall (one pilot date, organizer-limited to ~100 vehicles) and authorized a contract up to $42,400 to purchase and store a 26-foot artificial holiday tree through a turnkey vendor.
The village board approved Resolution 2025-048 to allow a car show in the northwest corner of the Hawthorne Mall parking lot, subject to the mall’s written approval and specified conditions. Organizer George Bridges told the board the event would limit the display to 100 vehicles and that the show portion would run roughly 11 a.m.–1 p.m., with setup and breakdown windows extending from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The board approved the resolution with the condition that the mall provide written agreement to the chosen date (October 19 or October 26 were under consideration for 2025).
Separately, the board approved Ordinance 2025-102 to waive competitive bidding and authorize the village manager to execute a contract with Geoscapes Landscaping/Holiday Cheer Decorations (staff’s recommended turnkey vendor) to purchase and install an artificial holiday tree, not to exceed $42,400. Staff described options: planting a live tree was not feasible because nurseries lacked sufficiently large specimens; purchasing a tree and storing/maintaining it with a vendor offered turnkey storage and installation. Staff described a recommended 26-foot model with a 10-year limited warranty on frame/branch and a 3-year warranty on lights.
Context and conditions - Car show: Board emphasized learning from prior events that grew too large and created traffic and neighborhood complaints; staff and police advised a smaller pilot (100 cars) and close monitoring. Organizer confirmed intent to limit entries and to work with police and mall staff. - Holiday tree: Staff recommended a turnkey purchase with vendor storage, installation and maintenance to ensure a reliable display for the lighting ceremony moving forward; the board approved the contract authorization.
What’s next: Event organizers must secure the mall’s written approval of the chosen date and comply with conditions set by police and staff; the village will place the holiday-tree order to ensure delivery for the lighting season and will coordinate installation and storage with the vendor.
Representative quotes - Organizer George Bridges: "We're keeping it restricted to only a 100." (on the car-show cap) - Director Veneta (on the tree): staff recommended a turnkey route because nurseries lacked large stock and vendor storage/installation provides reliability.
Board action: Both measures passed by roll call vote during the meeting.
