Route 66 Christmas Shop Hop to bring holiday shopping to Will, Grundy county communities

Shoppers can kick off the holiday season during the Route 66 Christmas Shop Hop, a one-day event on Nov. 7 featuring local businesses in Wilmington, Gardner and Dwight.The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and encourages shoppers to explore the three communities while supporting small businesses.Participants can pick up a shopping passport at designated locations in each town. Passports will be available at Fleur de Lis in Wilmington, Creative Gemz in Gardner and Flo’s in Dwight. Shoppers can pick up or turn in their passports at Flo’s.The event’s promotional materials encourage visitors to “shop, collect, explore,” highlighting the opportunity to discover local shops while enjoying a holiday-themed outing.Santa Claus is also scheduled to visit Fleur de Lis from noon to 2 p.m., giving families an additional reason to attend.Organizers are promoting the event as a way to support small businesses and enjoy a festive day across the three towns along historic Route 66.Additional de