Business Alliance highlights 2025 events and presents Santa's Cottage key; city honors swim team

The St. Charles Business Alliance presented a fall and winter events recap to the Saint Charles City Council on Dec. 15, reporting strong participation at ScarecrowFest and Lighting of the Lights and thanking sponsors and volunteers.

Susan Stark, the Business Alliance events manager, said the 40th anniversary ScarecrowFest recorded "75,000 plus" attendees, 120+ contest entries and 2,500+ votes — increases from the prior year. She noted business participation across Main Street, special family-zone programming and featured attractions including the Wienermobile and Pillsbury presence. Rocket Fizz reported $26,673.79 in sales over the event (1,387 transactions), figures Stark presented to illustrate local economic benefit (presentation, SEG 056–206).

Stark also announced a new Santa's Cottage at the plaza and presented keys to sponsor Scott Trotter and craftsman Randy Unick, recognizing their contributions to the holiday homecoming. The Lighting of the Lights drew more than 1,300 spectators according to the presentation; organizers held follow-up activities including a movie screening and Santa visits scheduled through Dec. 21 (presentation, SEG 116–156).

Earlier in the meeting the mayor and council recognized the St. Charles North girls swim team for finishing second in the state. Coach Rob Rooney (noted as a 1986 graduate and a 2023 swim hall-of-fame inductee in testimony) and team captains joined the council; senior captain Kate Ferrell addressed the chamber about discipline, community support and team accomplishments including six All-Americans and program records (recognition, SEG 218–456).

These agenda items were presented as celebratory acknowledgments rather than action items; no council votes were required to recognize achievements or accept event reports.