By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
The Christmas Walk tradition continues not only in Geneseo, but also with a Geneseo family who was instrumental in the Walk’s beginning.
The late Linda Kutsunis, who with her husband, George Kutsunis, founded Four Seasons and Pegasus Fine Gifts stores in Geneseo, is one of the people who was involved with the Walk in its infancy, 39 years ago, and who helped make it the success it is today.
The couple’s daughter, Katie Kutsunis, has taken over the reins of the businesses as her mother has passed and her father is semi-retired.
Katie Kutsunis also has continued in her mother’s footsteps in working to make the annual Christmas Walk a success, and she said, “Geneseo’s Christmas Walk has evolved over the years and has expanded; it just keeps getting better and better.”
In checking with Zack Sullivan, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, as to whether or not the Christmas Walk happened during the Covid pandemic, it did indeed happen, and he said, “Yes, the event happened during Covid, in 2020, as a hybrid live and virtual event. We did the Lighted Parade city-wide, but the tree lighting was done virtually.”
Linda Kutsunis
In an interview six years ago with the late Linda Kutsunis, she shared how her volunteer work began with the Christmas Walk. She said the event had been in existence for a couple of years when a good friend of hers, Judy Deutsch, who was on the Chamber of Commerce board at that time, told her the Chamber was looking for someone to take over chairmanship of the Walk and encouraged Kutsunis to fill that spot, and Kutsunis said, “yes.”
In our earlier conversation, Kutsunis said she never regretted saying “yes” to the Walk and she began the challenge by soliciting help from the late Clyde Walter, who at that time was Director of the Chamber.
They developed a committee and met nearly every week.
Linda Kutsunis spearheaded the Walk efforts until 1991 when she opened Pegasus, and relied more on her Walk Committee. The group planned many fundraisers, including bringing a circus to town on summer to raise money for the then “Victorian Walk.”
In my interview with Linda Kutsunis before her death, she described the Victorian Walk as a time of hoop skirts and high-laced shoes…a team of horses and buggies and bicycles built for two….and her quote at that tine, “Even though it has become the Christmas Walk, it remains a magical time of year.”
The things that made America special and great have been forged, nurtured and cherished in small towns just like Geneseo, including events like the Christmas Walk.
The Christmas Walk was known as the Victorian Walk until 2008 when it became the Christmas Walk, and Linda Kutsunis referred to both events as a “unique experience.”
The first Victorian Walk in Geneseo was held during the pre-Christmas season of 1985, the brainchild of Ann Ruble, who, with her husband, ran the Décor Shop in downtown Geneseo. Ruble had seen what was being done in the Village of East Davenport and after talking to some of the participants there, she decided a similar event on a slightly larger scale would be a natural fit for Geneseo.
For many years Geneseo’s Victorian Walk was held on a Friday night in December, and the date was later changed to Saturday to accommodate people.
In the beginning years, Geneseo received funding from the Illinois Tourism for the Victorian Walk, but that money slowly dwindled down to nothing.
The cost of the Walk is now covered by sponsorships and donations and the dedicated volunteers and loyal sponsors continue to make the Walk a magical time in Geneseo.
Kutsunis said the Victorian Walk was never meant to be a “money maker,” but rather a gift from the community to the people in the community and to the visitors who come each year from miles around. The Christmas Walk is an opportunity to showcase our wonderful Geneseo. It’s another day and another age in Geneseo.”
A CONVERSATION WITH KATIE KUTSUNIS
Katie Kutsunis said, “My Mom, Linda Kutsunis, loved the time she spent volunteering and leading the Christmas Walk Committee. I am honored to be a part of this event every year. My Mom loved Christmas and this event is the perfect way to celebrate this time of year.”
She credits the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce for the success of the Walk, and said, “The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce works so hard to plan an event that showcases our shops and restaurants and gives visitors a beautiful and fun way to enjoy a small town holiday experience.”
She added, “The business community really comes together to roll out the red carpet for the Geneseo Christmas Walk and we invite everyone to plan on attending and joining in the festivities.”
Katie Kutsunis shows some of the Christmas decorations at Pegasus Fine Gifts. The theme of the 2024 Christmas Walk was “Too Many Santas.” Photo by Claudia Loucks
The new holiday Christmas Tree, located on the corner of the boulevard at State and Second Sts., recently was introduced to the community, and Kutsunis said, “The City of Geneseo will showcase the new holiday Christmas Tree which is a gorgeous new addition for our beautiful town. Everyone should plan on taking a picture in front of the new iconic addition to Geneseo.”
The lighted parade is a huge attraction of the Walk, and immediately after the parade, people can browse the shops and see the living windows.
Kutsunis said, “Geneseo is truly magical at the holidays and the Geneseo Christmas Walk is the pinnacle of the holiday season,” Kutsunis said.
