KALAMAZOO, MI -- For many people, the holiday season is about cherished traditions.
In Kalamazoo, one of those traditions is the annual tree lighting ceremony downtown at Bronson Park. Hundreds gathered Friday as city officials and Santa Claus flipped the switch lighting up the park.
The tree lighting ceremony was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, city commissioners and the city manager gathered on stage Nov. 26 to read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” before the park was lit up for the holiday season.
The park bustled with activity with Santa visits, music and dance performances, people exploring the crafts provided by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, observing the reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm, checking out ice sculpting from Ice Guru, and strolling about with hot chocolate provided by Kzoo Parks and First Presbyterian Church.
People also visited the food trucks lining the park that served up an array of refreshments.
“It was heartbreaking to have to cancel the tree lighting ceremony last year, during a time where we all wanted a reason to come together and celebrate,” Parks Department Director Sean Fletcher said about bringing back the tradition and ushering in the holiday season.
City records suggest this Kalamazoo tradition started nearly 90 years ago. The Kalamazoo City Commission meeting minutes from 1937 mention the “Sixth Annual Tree Ceremony.”
Check out 47 images from the evening in the gallery above or click here for a direct link to the gallery or to purchase prints.
Also on MLive:
Southwest Michigan village of Lawton ready for biggest football game in high school’s history
Boil water advisory issued for two Kalamazoo neighborhood
"crowd" - Google News
November 27, 2021 at 08:52AM
https://ift.tt/3rdKYed
Kalamazoo tree lighting, Santa draws crowd to Bronson Park to kick off holiday season - mlive.com
"crowd" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YpUyMI
https://ift.tt/2KQD83I
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Kalamazoo tree lighting, Santa draws crowd to Bronson Park to kick off holiday season - mlive.com"
Post a Comment