Check out some of the fun, family activities going on in the area for the holiday season.
CEDAR SPRINGS
Dec. 2: The Cedar Springs area Chamber of Commerce presents Mingle with Kris Kringle from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Start the day off by making and taking crafts and ornaments at the Cedar Springs Community Library from 9 a.m. to noon. Decorate and fill a mug, or make an ornament for the downtown Christmas tree or one for your own tree. At 9 a.m. is story time with Mrs. Claus at Perry’s Place; meet and greet Red Hawk cheerleaders at 3 p.m. at the corner of Ash and Main Street where the downtown tree is; visit the Double K Farms Petting Zoo at 4 p.m. at Ash and Main; and at 4:15 p.m. the Red Hawk Choir will be caroling at Ash and Main. The Kris Kringle parade will start at 4:30 p.m. from the corner of Maple and Main and travel to Main and Ash, where Santa will light the tree at 4:45 p.m.; and there will be a live nativity there at 4:45 p.m. also. At 5 p.m. walk over to the American Legion Hall where you can get photos with Kris Kringle, and write a letter to Santa and do a coloring activity while waiting. You can also purchase baked goods from the ladies auxiliary.
Dec.2: Courtland Fire Department will be having Santa come to visit on December 2 from 1-4 p.m. We are located on 14 mile Rd just east of Myers Lake Rd. We will also be having punch and cookies.
Dec. 3: All abooooard the Bethlehem Express! A free event filled with crafts, carols, snacks, and the Christmas story. Great for young and old, families and singles! Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main, Cedar Springs, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 5-7 p.m., in the fellowship hall.
Dec. 9: Christmas open house at the Cedar Springs Community Library, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come dressed in your pjs for a time of celebration with a visit from Santa, crafts, decorating, Christmas cookies, listening to a reading of the Polar Express, and craft bazaar.
Dec. 9: The 2017 Annual Kent Theatre Christmas Concert hosted by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Saturday, December 9, from 3-5 p.m. Come out and have some holiday family fun! Admission tickets are $3 per person. This is a family friendly event that gives local talent the opportunity to perform live on stage and create holiday cheer. Line up to be announced.
GREENVILLE
Hometown Christmas parade and Santa party
Dec. 1: Come join the fun in downtown Greenville on Friday, December 1. The Santa park party will take place from 4-6 p.m. at Lafayette park (210 S. Lafayette). Enjoy holiday treats, games, activities & holiday merriment, then watch while Santa magically lights the Christmas Tree at 5:45 p.m. The parade will start at 6:00 p.m. on Lafayette Street. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun!
Dec. 2: 2017 Craft Fair and Flea Market, Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Greenville Area Recreation & Community Center, 900 E Kent Rd, Greenville. New and vintage items, handmade gifts, crafts and baked goods, all from local vendors and artisans. Free admission.
KENT CITY
Dec. 9: HCNC Wreath Making/Craft Make and Take. Make this year’s wreath with foraged cuttings, and personalize it with provided trimmings. While you enjoy your wreath making, let your children 5 & over do craft ornaments to make and take. This event is held at Howard Christensen Nature Center’s Camp Lilys, on 20 Mile Rd. Saturday, December 9 from 10 am to 1 pm. Wreaths $10 non-members, $5 members, Make and Take $5 non-members, $3 members. HCNC requests pre-registration online www.HowardChristensen.org, 616-675-3158.
ROCKFORD
Dec. 1: Help us ring in the holiday season with the Holiday Lighting Ceremony at the Rockford Dam overlook, 25 Squires St. Enjoy the sounds of the Rockford High School Jazz ensemble prior to the Rockford Choirs singing Christmas Carols. The Rockford Mayor will present a message of peace prior to thousands to lights coming to life in downtown Rockford and at the dam. This is a wonderful way for your family and you to start the holiday! Music starts at 5:30 p.m. and the Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Also Holiday Carriage Rides at the Rockford Pavilion (50 Squires St) from 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 2: Join us for Rockford’s 74th Annual Santa Parade! Parade starts at 11 a.m. in downtown Rockford. The jolly man in the red suit makes Rockford one of his first stops on his world tour. More than 60 floats line the downtown streets to welcome Santa Claus. He always arrives in style in a gorgeous white carriage. After the parade, he visits all good boys and girls in the Rockford Rotary Pavilion to hear their wish lists. The event features free photos, free milk and cookies, children’s activities, Christmas carols and each child receives a goodie bag after visiting with Santa. Free Carriage Rides from noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Rockford Rotary Pavilion, 50 Squires St.
Dec. 6: Santa in the Rotary pavilion, 50 Squires St. Tired of battling the mall crowds? Why not bring your child to Rockford to visit Santa – all in the idyllic setting of downtown. Kids can give Santa their wish lists, and enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies!
Dec. 7-8: Free horse-drawn carriage rides 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Rockford Chamber of Commerce sponsors horse-drawn carriage rides each year so that visitors to Rockford may enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautifully decorated streets of the downtown area. Visitors are able to ride through the tree-lined streets free of charge. It is a beautiful way to recapture the feelings of Christmases past and make memories with your loved ones.
Dec. 13: Santa at the pavilion with live reindeer, 6-8 p.m. Tired of battling the mall crowds? Why not bring your child to Rockford to visit Santa—all in the idyllic setting of downtown. Kids can give Santa their wish lists, and enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies! On December 16 Santa will be bringing his LIVE reindeer for the kids to get a closer look at these amazing animals. 50 Squires St.
Dec. 14-15: Free carriage rides 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Rockford Chamber of Commerce sponsors horse-drawn carriage rides each year so that visitors to Rockford may enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautifully decorated streets of the downtown area. Visitors are able to ride through the tree-lined streets free of charge. It is a beautiful way to recapture the feelings of Christmases past and make memories with your loved ones.
SAND LAKE
Nov. 26: Sand Lake tree lighting and caroling at 5:30 p.m. at the tree at Lake and 4th Street. Special music by Resurrection Lutheran Preschool. Hosted by all Village Churches and Sand Lake Chamber.
Dec. 1: Live indoor nativity at Sand Lake United Methodist from 6-8 p.m. Shepherds watching, angels singing, wise men searching, and the Christ child. Live animals will greet you. Enjoy the refreshments and stay as long as you like.
Dec. 2: Sand Lake Family Christmas Celebration. Visit with Santa 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the VFW Hall. Visit the Christmas craft show at Resurrection Lutheran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the Live indoor nativity at Sand Lake United Methodist from 1-3 p.m. Bring your ornaments to help decorate the trees.
SPARTA
‘Tis the season! Check out these fun Sparta holiday events.
Nov. 23: Turkey Trot in Sparta, Thursday, Nov. 23. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Race begins at 9 a.m. at Sparta Civic Center, 75 N. Union. Registration forms at spartachamber.com. Homemade pies to first three males/females to cross finish line and first three kids under age 14. Cost is $20 plush two non-perishable foot items and/or gently used coats/hats/gloves to donate to local pantries. Also 50/50 raffle for prizes and jackpot. All proceeds to benefit Sparta Rugby club and Sparta Lions.
Nov. 27: 5th annual Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run, registration at 8:30 a.m., race at 9:30 a.m. Starts/finishes: Mamrelund Lutheran Church, 4085 Lutheran Church Rd., Kent City. Proceeds to Adopt a family and food pantry at Mamrelund. Register at michianatiming.com.
Dec. 2: Christmas at the Sparta Library 10 a.m. to noon. Santa & Mrs. Claus visits, story time, crafts & cookie decorating, bring your own camera.
Dec. 2: Candy cane hunt for kids in Civic Center parking lot starts at 10:30 a.m. Donations welcome to keep Candy Cane Lane lighted!
Dec. 12: Santa Workshop 6-8 pm at Maddie LaRoues, 126 E. Division.
Dec. 14: Pet night with Santa at the Santa House 6 to 8 p.m. 80 N. Union (behind the Sparta Library).
Dec. 16: Come visit Santa in the Santa House behind the Sparta Carnegie Township Library (80 N. Union) from 1-3 p.m. Free horse and trolley rides.
Dec. 19: Come visit Santa in the Santa House behind the Sparta Carnegie Township Library (80 N. Union) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21-24: Ballard Church of Christ, 1633 10 Mile Road, presents “The Living Nativity,” from 7-8 p.m.
Dec. 23: Come visit Santa in the Santa House behind the Sparta Carnegie Township Library (80 N. Union) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free horse and trolley rides.
