City of Kentwood Ugly Sweater 5K

By WKTV Staff

The City of Kentwood’s busy holiday schedule started with an Ugly Sweater Cross County 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 17, but that is just the start of the city’s season’s offerings.

Next up will be the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, slated for Friday, Dec. 7. Centered around the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, the free event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Holiday Light Parade will start at 6 p.m., at the Kentwood Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, and travel north to the Kentwood Justice Center at 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Roads will be closed from 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the parade, which will affect both Breton Avenue and Walma Avenue.

At 6:30 p.m., city officials accompanied by carolers will conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Following the tree lighting, community members will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, go on carriage rides and enjoy a musical performance by the East Kentwood High School Jazz Band. The Elves Express Gift Shop will be open at the library for the duration of the event, offering a variety of gift items and gift-wrapping services.

The Ugly Sweater 5K run featured a route that showcased two Kentwood parks and a portion of the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Proceeds from the race will support the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which allows recipients to receive up to 50 percent off of one program per season.

More information about Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, as well as other community events, is available on the City’s website at www.kentwood.us.

Disc golf is big in West Michigan and is now on WKTV cable television. (U.S. Air Force photo)

By City of Kentwood

The City of Kentwood is hosting two events in November to say farewell to fall and kick off the holidays: Fall Fling at Old Farm Park, a disc golf tournament, on Saturday, Nov. 10, and an Ugly Sweater Cross County 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to join in the Fall Fling at Old Farm Park (2350 Embro Dr. SE), a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. The first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. The cost to pre-register online is $40, along with one canned food donation per team.

Proceeds raised will go towards the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which allows recipients to receive up to 50 percent off of one program per season. Food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.

“We had a great turnout for the first disc golf tournament we held last February, called, Freeze Fest. Participants from that event expressed an interest in doing another, and we were happy to oblige,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “In addition to being a fun way to soak up fall weather before winter comes, the Fall Fling is for a good cause.”

The Freeze Fest disc golf event held last February included over 120 participants. In addition to restocking Little Free Pantry with canned goods, the event raised nearly $2,300 for the Youth Scholarship Fund and an additional $235 for the pantry.

The Ugly Sweater 5K run will feature a route that showcases two Kentwood parks and a portion of the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 10:30 a.m. the morning of the race at East Paris Nature Park, located at 5995 East Paris Ave. SE. The race will begin at noon.

“We’re looking forward to seeing people flaunt their best ugly sweaters on the cross-country course” said Romeo. “The race route will allow runners to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and weather. Most of the course will be on a paved path that weaves through two of our 14 parks.”

While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, volunteers will be timing participants. Results will be online after the event is complete. Water stations and medical aid services along the course.

Registration costs $25 until Oct. 31, after which the price will increase to $30. Proceeds from the race will also support the Youth Scholarship Fund. Individuals interested in racing can register online.