By LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News 
November 14, 2012 

Pendleton Heights is expanding its holiday homes tour to become what Jessica Ray has dubbed a holiday festival.

In addition to the five homes on tour, the Dec. 1 event will also include an artists market inside the gym of Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School, 544 Wabash Ave. Approximately a dozen artists are participating, many from Historic Northeast. All of their handiwork will be on sale and items will range from fiber to wall art to jewelry and more.

At least six to 10 food vendors will line the streets along Amie near Garfield Elementary and carolers will be on hand to get attendees in the holiday spirit. Santa Claus will also make an appearance and attendees are encouraged to bring their cameras to snap a pic with jolly Saint Nick.

The Pendleton Heights elves will be available in the gym to gift wrap presents for $3 per gift.

“You can take home all your holiday gifts ready to go,” said Ray, president of the Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Association.

Homes on tour will be decorated for the holidays and include an American Foursquare, Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, Prairie Style and a recently restored tri-plex.

The Prairie Style home has never been on tour, she said.

“It’s a very cool home,” Ray said. “I like that it’s a good variety of houses. They’re all different types of architecture and in different stages of rehab.”

Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 the day of the event. To purchase advance tickets, visit http://ph.uticketit.com. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event at the tent in front of Scuola Vita Nuova. There is no cost to attend the artists market or access the food trucks. The holiday festival will be held Dec.1 from noon to 5 p.m.