On Monday, December 3, the Elementary students performed in a music concert themed around the book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. The students dressed in their pajamas just like the kids in the story. Several 3rd, 4th and 5th graders read the story of the Polar Express at the concert. In between the readings, all the students sang different songs that helped to tell the story. The students learned American Sign Language to go along with two of the songs:  Believe  and  When Christmas Comes to Town. These two songs also featured soloists during the verses. The concert was directed by Bethany Holtrop and Jeremy Holtrop accompanied two songs on the piano.

For the Christmas in July movie the “Polar Express” will be shown at Morley Park on July 10th

August’s science fiction movie is planned for E.T.

When the Game Stands Tall is the football movie scheduled for September.

Would you like to get some great deals locally and have some fun at the same time? Would you like to try something new on Friday night for family time? If that’s the case, the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has some events coming up you are going to love.

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (CSACoC) is hosting Sidewalk Sales the second Saturday in July, August, and September. Each month the sidewalk sales will be themed differently for more excitement. July is Christmas in July, August is Science Fiction, and September is football.

The Chamber is also providing free family-friendly movies in Morley Park during the summer months. The movies in the park will be held on the Friday before the sidewalk sales and will match the themes of the sidewalk sales. If by chance it is rained out on Friday, the movie will be played on Saturday.

On July 10, the movie will be “Polar Express” and start just before dark. It will coincide with “Christmas in July” sidewalk sales on July 11. Come to the CSACoC’s booth in the parking lot in front of the Cedar Chest Retail Shop and Curves/Jenny Craig for details on how to win a free bicycle. Bicycles will be given away at the August movie in the park just before the movie starts. There will also be a dunk tank at the corner of Elm and Main from 11:30 to p.m.

The August 7 movie will be “ET” to coincide with the August 8 Science Fiction-themed sidewalk sales (pending city council approval).

The September 11 movie will be “When the Game Stands Tall” to go along with the football-themed sidewalk sales on September 12  (pending city council approval).

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is asking the local businesses to get in the spirit and decorate their businesses and/or storefronts to the theme of the month. The decorating doesn’t have to be limited to just the weekend of the movie/sidewalk sales. Feel free to use the theme all month long. For more info, contact Chamber president Perry Hopkins at Perry’s Place at the corner of Main and Maple Streets or email kinofhope@yahoo.com.

CEDAR SPRINGS

Red Flannel Christmas – Come Mingle with Kris Kringle

Dec. 7: Come celebrate the kick off to the Christmas season with a Red Flannel Town Christmas, presented by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.  Creative Technologies Academy will have an arts and crafts fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; local businesses will be open and running specials beginning at 10 a.m.; and the Cedar Springs Historical Museum will do Christmas crafts from noon to 3 p.m. New this year is the Red Flannel Town Christmas Parade, with registration at 4:30 p.m., and parade at 5 p.m. Following the parade will be a live nativity scene, tree lighting, caroling, and mingling with Kris Kringle at the corner of Main Street and Ash. Bring the whole family out for a fun, old-fashioned, red flannel town Christmas celebration.

Second annual Christmas concert at the Kent

Dec. 14: The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Christmas Concert at the Kent Theatre on Saturday, December 14, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Cedar View Choir will perform this year, along with some performers from last year and more. Bring the family and have some fun. Admission is $5, and free for kids under age 5.

Make a gingerbread house

Dec. 14: Calling all Kids to decorate a Gingerbread House at the Cedar Springs Public Library. Sign up for one of three sessions: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or 12 p.m. All ages welcome, preschoolers must have parent present. Stop by the library to register or call 616-696-1910.

Christmas Dance Extravaganza at the Kent

Dec. 15: The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Christmas Dance Extravaganza at the Kent on Sunday, December 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. They have a variety of dance styles lined up to perform. Bring out the family and have some fun. Tickets are $10, and free for those under age 5.

GREENVILLE

Hometown Christmas

Dec. 6: Come and celebrate “A Hometown Christmas” in beautiful Historic, downtown Greenville. It’s so much more than just a parade. Events start with a Santa park party from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Lafayette Park (next to the bakery). Santa will visit with children, and pose for photos with kids; there will be face painting, live Christmas music, hot cocoa and cookies, and plenty of holiday merriment. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:45 p.m. at Lafayette Park. Santa will do the honors and light the tree. The parade follows at 6 p.m., and then kids can visit with Santa at the Flat River Museum immediately following the parade until 8 p.m.

Heritage Holiday Village

Dec. 8: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Montcalm Community College. Free. Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday in the village, including caroling, crafts, photos with an 0ld-fashioned St. Nicholas, and more. 2800 College Drive, Sidney, Michigan 48885.

Tree of Lights Celebration

Dec. 8, 17: On Sunday, December 8, the Spectrum Health Foundation United & Kelsey Hospitals will hold its annual Tree of Lights celebration at 4 p.m. at United Hospital in Greenville. On Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. the Tree of Love celebration will be held at United Church of Christ, 115 W Fifth Street in Lakeview. Funds raised from this year’s Tree of Lights and Tree of Love will help purchase a video laryngoscope for both United and Kelsey Hospitals. A laryngoscope is a lifesaving medical device used to place breathing tubes in a patient who is unable to breathe on his or her own. Enjoy the musical sounds of the season, delicious refreshments and listen as the names of those who are read.

SAND LAKE

Polar Express Party

Dec. 11: All aboard! Hop on the Polar Express and enjoy a magical storytime train ride at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library at 6:30 p.m. Play games, make a reindeer ornament, enjoy an edible train and more at this cozy holiday party. For all ages. The library is located at 88 Eighth Street.

Christmas with Santa

Dec. 14: Santa will be at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library from 10 a.m. to Noon a.m. on Saturday, December 8. Visit with Santa and enjoy crafts and treats. Gifts aplenty for the first 200 children! Prize drawings will be held. For all ages.

SPARTA

Pet night with Santa 

Dec. 12: 6-8 pm in Santa House, 94 N. Union. Bring your furry friends to visit with Santa! Photo with $3.00 donation or pet food or blanket donation to go to the Humane Society.

Santa Train visits Sparta

Dec. 14: The Santa Train will visit Sparta at approximately 10 a.m. (visit www.spartachamber.com for exact time.) Follow Santa in the kid’s parade to the Santa House and visit Santa until 1 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 280 will serve hot cocoa, and the Coffee Stop will give out free samples of gourmet coffee. Find Bruce the chestnut grower and try a free roasted chestnut. There will also be free horse and trolley rides until 2 p.m.

Santa in Santa house

Dec. 19 and 21: Santa will be in the Santa house (94 N. Union) on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6-8 p.m., and on Saturday, December 21, from 11 to1 p.m. Bring your own camera.

Living Nativity

Dec. 21-Dec. 24: The Ballard Church of Christ, 1633 10 Mile Road, presents “The Living Nativity” from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 21-24.

Horse drawn trolley rides

Dec. 24: Horse drawn trolley rides from 6-9 p.m. Loading area and treats at Sparta Fire Department.

SPENCER TOWNSHIP

Gingerbread Lane

December 5: Stroll down Gingerbread Lane at the Spencer Township Library and enjoy tasty gingerbread stories from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each child will make a simple gingerbread house. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For all ages. Arts and crafts.