CEDAR SPRINGS
Mingle with Kris Kringle
Dec. 3: Santa arrives in Cedar Springs at 6 p.m. to help us light the community Christmas Tree, sing carols and meet with the children. After singing carols, Santa and his elf will head down to the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church to meet with the children. Games and activities will be provided to entertain the kids while they wait for their turn on Santa’s lap. Professional photography will also be available for those wishing to purchase a portrait.
Make a gingerbread house
Dec. 11: Join us to make a gingerbread house at the Cedar Springs Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 12. Sessions are 10-11 a.m.; 11:30-12:30; and 1-2 p.m. All ages welcome, preschoolers must have parent present. Please preregister at 696-1910.
Readers theatre at the Kent
Dec. 17-18: Hear live on the Kent Theatre Stage a telling of “A Christmas Carol,” a beloved Charles Dickens classic. Called “theater for the ear,” this Reader’s Theater version has all the wonderful characters telling the story, transporting you back to old London and that fateful Christmas eve night. Performances are Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students, and are available at the door.
Holiday bingo at the library
Dec. 22: Looking for something for the kids to do over winter break? Play holiday bingo with the Cedar Springs Library! Bingo cards will be full of activities for kids to do. When they fill up a row, they bring it in to the library and get a prize! They will then be entered into a drawing for another prize! Call the library at 696-1910 for more details.
Holiday concerts
Dec. 7: Middle School holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Dec. 14: High school holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
GREENVILLE
Block party with Santa and hometown Christmas parade
Dec. 4: Join the fun with Santa at the Christmas Block Party in Greenville from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Cass Street (between Franklin and Lafayette). Photos with Santa, arts and crafts, reindeer, hot cocoa and more. Parade follows at 6 p.m.
29th annual Crafty Christmas bazaar
Dec. 5: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church, 505 S. Lafayette St. in Greenville. Fun for all ages! Unique gifts, hand crafted items, homemade baked goods, lunch, raffles, and students to help you carry all your exciting finds to your car! Call (616) 754-4194 for more information.
John Berry concert
Dec. 5: Country music performer John Berry brings the spirit of the holiday season to Greenville High School auditorium for one performance at 6 p.m. on December 5. This show is the third fundraiser for the new Montcalm County 4-H fairgrounds. Tickets are $25 each and are available at Hansen’s Music House, 116 S. Lafayette St., Greenville, or call Hansen’s at (616) 754-3803.
Grand Rapids Symphony ‘’Holiday Pops’’ Concert
Dec. 9: 7:30-9:00 p.m. Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops Concert is presented by the Education Foundation of Greenville. Greenville Performing Arts Center 111 N. Hillcrest Greenville, MI 48838. Tickets will be available at Hansen’s Music House, downtown Greenville. Contact Cheryl Willard, Production Coordinator, 616-225-6109 for more info.
“Christmas in Comfort”
Dec. 17, 18, 19: Please join us at the Greenville Area Community Center for the HCAT Christmas Play, Christmas in Comfort! Mona Malone, famous for her role as the “scream queen” in Hollywood horror flicks, must do 200 hours of community service. A judge is persuaded by Mona’s attorney to let her spend them directing the annual Christmas play in his tiny hometown of Comfort. Laughter and the traditional music of Christmas fill the stage with warmth as the people of Comfort help Mona learn a big lesson about fame, faith and the fact that a long time ago in Bethlehem, a child was born for everyone – including the famous Mona Malone. Performances are December 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and December 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 on or before December 5th and $7 after. Please call the Greenville Area Community Center for more details and tickets at (616) 754-9163.
HOWARD CITY
Adopt a pole program
Nov. 30: The 5th Annual Adopt A Pole Christmas Decoration Program is underway in Howard City. For $55.00, you can “Adopt a Pole” for a Christmas decoration to be displayed in Howard City! If you would like to participate in the program please fill out and return the form found at www.howardcity.org by November 30.
Christmas parade of homes
Dec. 4: The 2010 Christmas Parade of Homes will take place on Saturday December 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Howard City. Advanced tickets are $10:00 and can be purchased at the Timothy C Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library or Kindel and Company. The ticket price includes refreshments and prize drawings at the library from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. You may also take your ticket to Kindel and Company to receive a free Christmas ornament.
Holiday Bake sale
Dec. 11: Friends of the library are having a holiday bake sale Saturday, December 11, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Timothy Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library in Howard City. Music will start at 10 a.m. with the Tri County Jazz band. Please join us for the bake sale and music.
ROCKFORD
Santa parade and visit with Santa
Dec. 4: Rockford welcomes the jolly man in the red suit with the annual Santa Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. Santa parades through the streets of downtown Rockford, and then stops at the Rotary Pavilion to hear all the good little girls’ and boys’ gift wishes.
Free holiday concert
Dec. 5: This free holiday concert helps ring in the holiday spirit. The Rockford Community Choir shares their talent with the Rockford community in this annual event. The concert takes place at Rockford High School, 4100 Kroes, Rockford.
Horse-drawn carriage rides
Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17: Take a step back in time and enjoy seeing Rockford in a horse-drawn carriage from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Visitors can ride through the beautifully decorated streets of downtown Rockford tucked under blankets, take in the scenery and revisit days gone by. And the best part is it is FREE, due to sponsorship by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. Location: 25 Squires Street, Rockford.
Holiday evening with Matt Giraud
Dec. 11: American Idol finalist Matt Giraud returns to the Grand Rapids area for his first ever Christmas Concert, Saturday, Dec. 11th, at 9 p.m. at the Rockford Fine Arts Auditorium at Rockford High School, 4100 Kroes. The concert will showcase material familiar to his American Idol fans, some new material, and some ‘Matt G’ arrangements of traditional Christmas music. Tickets are $30 or $20, and are available at www.startickets.com.
SAND LAKE
Santa parade and visit with Santa
Dec. 11: Come see Santa Claus and his reindeer in Sand Lake’s Santa parade at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 11. Follow the parade to the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library, 88 Eighth Street, where kids will have a chance to visit with Santa and see some live reindeer.
Gingerbread Lane
Dec. 18: Take a stroll down Gingerbread Lane and enjoy some tasty gingerbread stories at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library from 10:30-11:30 a.m. December 18. Each child will make a simple gingerbread house. This is a program for families. Registration is required and participation is limited. Register online at www.kdl.org or call 1-877-243-2466 (toll free). The library is located at 88 Eighth St., Sand Lake.
Winter’s eve storytime
Dec. 22: Join in a festive celebration of the season with holiday stories, crafts and goodies and the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library, on December 22 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register online at www.kdl.org or call 1-877-243-2466 (toll free). The library is located at 88 Eighth St., Sand Lake.
Crafts around the world
Dec. 28: Travel around the world to Mexico, China and Kenya as we make crafts, sample treats and hear stories representing each country at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library on December 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Make your own unity cup, dragon puppet and skull mask to take home! For school age children. Register online at www.kdl.org or call 1-877-243-2466 (toll free). The library is located at 88 Eighth St., Sand Lake.
SPARTA
Supper with Santa
Dec. 7: Have supper with Santa at the Civic Center, 75 N. Union. $1.00 per person for hot dogs, popcorn. Pictures with Santa, craft, decorate cookie, horse wagon rides and more!
Pet Night with Santa in Santa House
Dec. 9: 6-8 p.m. Bring your furry friend to visit Santa in the Santa House! (94 N. Union, Sparta) Pet food, blanket, or cash donations will receive a free photo of your pet and Santa!
Santa train and kids parade
Dec. 11: Enter the free raffle to see who will win a chance to ride with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the horse-drawn wagon in the kids parade! Santa train arrives (240 E. Division) Saturday morning (check website for train arrival). Kids parade to Santa house immediately following Santa train. Santa’s reindeer 9 a.m. to noon. Free horse and wagon rides from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Round again Elf workshop
Dec. 11: Kids are welcome to stop by the Elf workshop (213 E. Division) to pick out and wrap a surprise gift for free from 10 a.m. to noon.
Christmas café musical
Dec. 11: Plan to attend the Christmas Café Musical at 6 p.m. at the Nazarene Church, 655 13 Mile Rd., Sparta.
Visit Santa
Dec. 16 and 23: Visit Santa in the Santa house (94 N. Union) 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 18: Visit Santa at the downtown Sparta Choice One, 109 E. Division, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dec. 21: Visit Santa at the Rogue River Credit Union, 485 S. State, from 1-5 p.m.
Dec. 22: Visit Santa at Independent Bank, 525 S. State, Sparta, from 3:30-7 p.m.
Living nativity
Dec. 21, 22, 23, 24: Visit the 40th annual living nativity scene at Ballard Church of Christ, 1633 10 Mile Rd, Sparta, from 7-8:30 p.m.
Horse drawn trolley rides
Dec. 24: Horse drawn trolley rides through Harper Drive in Sparta. Loading zone and treats hosted at Sparta Fire Department, 11 N. State, 6-9 p.m.
SIDNEY
Montcalm Community College holiday celebration
Dec. 5: Montcalm Community College hosts its 29th annual Santa’s Super Sunday on Dec. 5 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Santa available until 4 p.m. Attendees may visit and have photo taken with Santa, enjoy refreshments, holiday music, swimming, clowns, crafts and musical activities. May also visit historic Heritage Village, and see an exhibit of cultural holiday traditions. All activities are free.
SPENCER TOWNSHIP
Gingerbread Lane
Dec. 2: Take a stroll down Gingerbread Lane and enjoy some tasty gingerbread stories at the Spencer Township Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. December 2. Each child will make a simple gingerbread house. This is a program for families. Registration is required and participation is limited. Register online at www.kdl.org or call 1-877-243-2466 (toll free). The library is located at 14960 Meddler Ave., Gowen.
