Christmas tree lighting

A previous Kentwood Holiday parade. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

By WKTV Staff

The City of Kentwood kicks off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting ceremony and parade on Thursday, Dec. 1.

The festivities take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at and around the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The evening includes outdoor activities for all ages, including carriage rides, take-home children’s crafts, food trucks, live music and a visit from Santa. Entrance to the event and all activities are free of charge.

Student essay competition determines Grand Marshal

New this year, a student essay competition will determine the parade’s grand marshal, who also will help light the tree. Students ages 5-18 who are Kentwood residents or attend school in Kentwood, Kelloggsville, Forest Hills or Caledonia school districts are eligible to participate.

To enter, students can submit an essay that is 1,000 words or less answering the prompt, “Why do you love living in Kentwood?” Entries are due Nov. 17 and a winner will be chosen and notified by Nov. 24. Essays may be submitted online at kentwood.us/TreeLighting or in-person at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley at a previous tree lighting. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

“The annual Tree Lighting event provides a welcoming place for friends, family and neighbors to gather and usher in the celebratory season of peace and joy,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “I am especially excited to have one of our local students as the grand marshal participating in this memorable event.”

Parade at 6 p.m.

The parade will start at 6 p.m. and travel from the City’s Public Works Facility at 5068 Breton Ave. SE north to the Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Sections of Breton and Walma will be closed from 5:50 to 6:25 p.m. for the procession.

A visit from Santa is planned at Kentwood’s holiday event on Dec. 1. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

Tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.

The tree lighting ceremony will follow at 6:30 p.m. in front of the library. After the ceremony, community members will have the opportunity to take photos with Santa, mail a letter to the North Pole, go on carriage rides, take a stroll through a luminary walk, enjoy live holiday music and a performance by the Michigan Ballet Academy, and more.

Kentwood’s Free Little Pantry

Attendees also have the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items to Kentwood’s Free Little Pantry. A list of suggested items is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.

Groups interested in participating in the parade are asked to complete an entry form online. The cost to participate is $15.

More information about the event is available at kentwood.us/TreeLighting.

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Welcome to the weekend, my friends.

We have so many things going on locally, as usual. But this weekend I find myself on Mackinac Island for its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. You can follow my Facebook page for updates. I might even bring back some fudge, if you’re interested.

A little closer to home….. you can check out the Christmas tree lighting party at Boston Square Community Parklet at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4). Eight Boston Square area organizations and businesses are hosting a free, family-friendly event featuring music, food and talent from the neighborhood. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Boston Square Community Parklet, 1505 Kalamazoo Avenue SE.

In addition, the Christmas in Caledonia Lights Parade and tree lighting ceremony is from 4-7 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) in Caledonia and features food, warm fires and festivities. A light parade will start at 6 p.m. with Santa ushering the parade. You can get a photo with him after the parade.

What do you have planned?

Here are a few more ideas in this weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. West Catholic Christmas Craft Show

I have been writing about local craft shows every week, and this weekend marks the return of the popular West Catholic Christmas Craft Show. It features 200-plus crafters and is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) at the high school, 1801 Bristol Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Now that it’s December, you might want to get serious about your holiday shopping. (I’m telling myself.) You can find more information about the craft show on the event Facebook page. (I recently started working at West Catholic High School on the school’s communications team and I can tell you that everyone is excited to put on a great event, which helps raise funds for school programs.)

Video courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

4. Wyoming Light Show

If you’re looking for a holiday light show a little closer to home, you can find nine houses synced to music located on Sage River Court SW and Amur Drive SW in Wyoming. Organizers of the Sage River Holiday Light Show encourage you to tune in to your radio at 94.1 FM when you arrive. Find more details on the Facebook page.

3. The Sound of Music

Over a recent family dinner I was talking to my niece, Christina Gonzalez, who said the cast is loving the return of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “The Sound of Music.” She plays the role of Sister Sophia. That reminded me I better get tickets soon. Performances continue through Dec. 19. Shows are usually at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Get more information at grct.org/the-sound-of-music or check out GRCT’s Facebook page.

2. Visit Santa Meijer Gardens

As we have written about in prior weeks, the annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition at Meijer Gardens is in full swing as guests experience 46 trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe, as well as 300,000 lights and Garden Railway display. But you can visit Santa, too. He makes an appearance from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21 in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory (where it’s always balmy). His reindeer arrive at a different time. They are in the Michigan Farm Garden from 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays: Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Both are free with admission to the Gardens. Get all the details at meijergardens.org.

Photo of TSO is Courtesy of TSO/Van Andel Arena.

1.Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Looking for a BIG this weekend? You’ll be wowed by the spectacle of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which brings its “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” tour to Van Andel Arena for two shows – 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 5). The rock opera features many of TSO’s most beloved numbers, including “Ornament,” “Promises to Keep,” and, the song everyone knows, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.” Ticket information, a video preview of the show and more at vanandelarena.com. Trans-Siberian Orchestra video.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.