Check out some of the fun, family activities going on in the area for the holiday season.
CEDAR SPRINGS
Christmas card class
Nov. 28: Join the free Christmas Card Class at the Cedar Springs Library, Saturday, November 28. Kits to make three classy cards for those special people in your life. Age-appropriate kits for children, as well. Must be at least 6. Sessions start at 10:15 and 11:30. Space is limited so reserve a place today! By phone: 616-696-1910 or by email: ced@llcoop.org.
2015 Cedar Springs Christmas – Mingle with Kris Kringle
Dec. 5: Celebrate the kick off to the Christmas season with “Come Mingle with Kris Kringle,” presented by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Looking for something sweet? Pick up some awesome baked goods at the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Bake Sale at the Artisan Market Place 60 N. Main St.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Make two ornaments at the Cedar Springs Library, 43 W. Cherry Street—one to take home and one to take with you to decorate the Community Christmas tree at 3 p.m. (see below).
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ornament Making at the CS Historical Museum (for the first 100 kids) and a Victorian Christmas Display (Cedar Street by Morley Park)
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Story time with Mrs. Claus at Perry’s Place llc for herbs, teas, and more.. (corner of Maple and Main Street)
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Decorating the Christmas Tree with the CS Cheerleaders at the corner of Main and Ash Street ( get your picture taken with the cheer leaders and tree)
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free Hot Chocolate at the corner of Ash and Main Street
4 p.m. Double K Farms& Animal Junction 4H Club Petting Zoo & Bake Sale at corner of Main and Ash Street.
4 p.m. Parade Line Up corner of Second and Maple Street
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. candy canes handed out by Laura and Patrick Ensley
4:30 p.m. Christmas Parade starts at Maple and Main street**
4:45 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling at the corner of Main and Ash Street
5 p.m. Live Nativity Scene (reenacted by Calvary Assembly of God) then Mingling with Kris Kringle (at the corner of Main and Ash Street)
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The CS Cheerleaders will hand out candy canes (at the corner of Main and Ash)
Main Street will be closing down (from Oak Street to Beech) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the mini Christmas Parade, Tree lighting, and Mingle with Kris Kringle portion of the event.
Edible Christmas Tree Decorating at the library
Dec. 12: Make an ordinary ice cream cone magically turn into a fabulous Christmas tree at the Cedar Springs Public Library! An assortment of candy and fun awaits you! RSVP for sessions starting at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. RSVP by calling 616-696-1910 or stop by and sign up at 43 W. Cherry Street during open hours.
2015 Kent Theatre Christmas Concert
Dec. 12: The 2015 Annual Kent Theatre Christmas Concert hosted by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (CSACOC) is scheduled for December 13th from 3pm to 5pm. Come out an have some holiday family fun!
2015 Kent Theatre Dance Extravaganza
Dec. 13: The 2014 Annual Kent Theatre Christmas Dance Extravaganza hosted by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (CSACOC) is scheduled for December 14th from 3pm to 5pm. Come out an have some holiday family fun!
Watch ad in next week’s paper for more information.
GREENVILLE
Celebrate Christmas on the green in Greenville.
Hometown Christmas parade and Santa party
Dec. 4: Come join the fun in downtown Greenville on December 4! The Santa park party will take place from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Lafayette park. Get your picture taken with Santa, enjoy games and live music, 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!
Enjoy local events and shop local businesses Dec. 5
Dec. 5: Greenville Community Center, 900 E. Kent, will host a craft fair and indoor flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a make and take craft party from 10 a.m. to noon.
Dec. 5: Greenville Senior Center, 715 S. Baldwin, will host a holiday marketplace from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will dolls, marionettes, quilts, crafts and baked goods.
Dec. 5: The Daily News, 109 N. Lafayette, will host an arts, crafts and gifts bazaar from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dec. 5: Flat River Historical Museum, 213 N. Franklin, will host a holiday open house 2-4:30 p.m. Santa visits from 2-3 p.m.
Dec. 5: Town and Country animal clinic, 9191 Greenville Rd, will offer pet photos with Santa, starting at noon. Bring in your pet and get a photo with Santa free.
Dec. 5: Handel’s Messiah at the Greenville High School performing arts center at 7 p.m. Free admission. Nearly 100 talented area musicians in the orchestra and chorus will perform.
Dec. 5: Check out deals at Greenville businesses for December 5 by going to the Greenville Chamber of Commerce webpage at http://www.greenvillechamber.net.
Gingerbread house decorating
Dec. 12: The Greenville Area Community Center will host a gingerbread house decorating workshop from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration Deadline: December 4, 2015. Make sweet memories, we’ll clean up the mess! Icing and assorted candies will be provided. 900 E. Kent Rd., Greenville. (616) 754-9163.
HOWARD CHRISTIANSEN NATURE CENTER
Holiday make and take
Dec. 12: You do not want your kids to miss this one! We will help your child create a gift from their heart that can be cherished and passed down to their children for generations. They will make unique gifts and wrap them up with the assistance of our volunteer team. Voila! Your children’s holiday shopping is done.
This event is most appropriate for K-5th graders. A cherished gift from your child’s heart, what could be better! 10 to 12:30 p.m. Donation $6.00 per child (includes supplies). 16190 Red Pine Dr NW, Kent City.
Winter Break Day Camp
Dec. 21-23 & 28-31: Send the Kids to day camp at Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Drive, Kent City, during the Holiday Break. This program run the duration of the two week break (no camp on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day) Multiple curriculums will be covered from crafts to animal interactions and of course plenty of showshoeing and ice skating (weather permitting). We’ll make gifts and Christmas decorations, enjoy the roaring fireplace and have plenty of hot cocoa! $55 per child and 5 and over (all 7 days of the program). Bring a sack lunch (cocoa will be provided). Register online www.HowardChristensen.org or call the office 616-675-3158. All camps require 9 students minimum to be held.
ROCKFORD
Discover a Rockford Christmas
Take a step back in time and capture the magic of the holidays with these special events!
Holiday lighting ceremony
Dec. 4: Holiday lighting ceremony from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Rockford Dam overlook. Help us ring in the holiday season with the Holiday Lighting Ceremony. 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 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Santa Parade
Dec. 5: Join us for Rockford’s 72nd Annual Santa Parade on December 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.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 horse-drawn carriage rides available after the parade from noon to 2 p.m.
Cookie walk
Dec. 5: St. Peter’s Ladies Guild Annual Cookie Walk is Saturday, December 5 at 310 E. Division in Rockford, from 9 a.m. until the cookies are gone. The cookies are sold by the pound and you pick the combination. This is a perfect time to pick up cookies for the holidays. Proceeds help our Mission Projects throughout the year.
Santa at the Pavilion
Dec. 9: 6-8 p.m. Tired of battling the mall crowds? Why not bring your child to Rockford to visit Santa at the Rotary Pavilion, all in the idyllic setting of downtown. Kids can give Santa their wish lists, and enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies!
Holiday carriage rides
Dec. 10-11: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Take a free horse-drawn carriage ride and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautifully decorated streets of the downtown area. It is a beautiful way to recapture the feelings of Christmases past and make memories with your loved ones.
Santa at the Pavilion with Live reindeer
Dec. 16: From 6-8 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion. Kids can give Santa their wish lists, and enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies! Santa will be bringing his LIVE reindeer for the kids to get a closer look at these amazing animals.
Holiday carriage rides
Dec. 17-18: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Take a free horse-drawn carriage ride and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautifully decorated streets of the downtown area. It is a beautiful way to recapture the feelings of Christmases past and make memories with your loved ones.
SAND LAKE
Advent by Candlelight
Nov. 29: Advent by Candlelight, 6-8 p.m., for ladies of all ages, at Mary Queen of Apostles Parish Center in Sand Lake. The theme is Mary Christmas. Bring an hors d’oeuvre to pass. RSVP (616) 636-5671.
Live nativity
Dec. 4-5: Once again this year the Sand Lake United Methodist church fellowship hall will be transformed into the village of Bethlehem. The transformation is amazing as you are greeted by Roman soldiers registering you for the census (asking you to sign the guest book). You will make your way through the market place as you hear angels singing in the distance. Then you find a stable with a young couple inside with a newborn child as the angels sing their praises. Around the corner you will come to a garden where you will find a snack and a time to visit. On your way out, you may run into some wise men looking for the newborn king. And if you wish, you can pay your tribute (leave a free will donation). Come and experience the joy of the Christmas story with us! Friday December 4 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, December 5 from 1-3 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
SPARTA
‘Tis the season! Check out these fun Sparta holiday events.
Nov. 26: Turkey Trot in Sparta, Thursday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m. Race begins at Sparta Civic Center, 75 N. Union. Registration forms at spartachamber.com. Proceeds to Sparta Rugby club.
Nov. 28: 3rd annual Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run, 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. Contact Cindy 616-799-0500 with questions.
Dec. 5: Horse-drawn trolley rides with Santa noon to 3 p.m. 112 E. Division.
Dec. 5: Festival of trees meet and greet noon to 3 p.m. Fenton Records 203 E. Division.
Dec. 5: Kid’s Day at Biggby Coffee 275 S. State. Come decorate a holiday picture to hang on our wall. Free kid’s drink with every picture (12 and under).
Dec. 8: Santa Workshop 6-8 pm at Maddie LaRoues, 126 E. Division. Hosted by Independent Bank. Free photos with Santa, activities, & more!
Dec. 10: Sparta High School holiday concert with concert band, jazz band, and choir. 6:45 p.m. Sparta High School auditorium.
Dec. 12: Horse-drawn trolley rides 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 12: Santa in the Santa house 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 12: Santa fly in! 7-9 p.m. Sparta Airport 9000 Vinton Ave. Indoor activities, gifts for 12 and under. Refreshments of cocoa and cookies.
Dec. 13: Children’s Christmas program 10:10 a.m. at Sparta United Methodist Church. All children who come (ages preschool through elementary) are invited to dress up and participate. No rehearsal necessary.
Dec. 14: Gingerbread House Decorating Party, 6-8 p.m. at Sparta Township Library, 80 N. Union. For all ages! Houses & decorating items will be supplied. Pre-registration required.
Dec. 14: Biggby snow ball celebration 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Contests, giveaways iand other special events. 275 S. State.
Dec. 15: Sparta Middle School band holiday concert 6:45 p.m. Sparta High School auditorium.
Dec. 17: Visit Santa Claus in the Santa House, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 19 Visit Santa Claus in the Santa House, 11-1.
Dec. 19: Free horse-drawn trolley rides 11-1.
Dec. 21-24: Ballard Church of Christ, 1633 10 Mile Road, presents “The Living Nativity,” from 7-8 p.m.
Dec. 23: Visit Santa Claus in the Santa House, 6-8p.m.
Dec. 24: Children’s Christmas pageant at Holy Family Catholic Church 4 p.m.
