Tag Archives: Holiday Season

Santa returns to Woodland Mall this week as Holiday Season shopping, festivities begin

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It is that time of the year again at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall is all set to celebrate the holiday season and its traditions with special holiday shopping and festivities, starting this week with the return of Photos with Santa, an Angel Tree benefitting families and supporting the Salvation Army, and — of course — Black Friday deals looming.

“It’s exciting to see Woodland Mall transform again for the most exciting time of the year,” Alyson Presser, Woodland Mall marketing manager, said in supplied material. “In particular this year, we encourage our shoppers to shop early to ensure product availability and to exercise consideration to retail workers throughout the season.”

Santa, and more, ready for season

Santa will return to his seat in Macy’s court, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 24, to “listen to every child’s Christmas wish and can even read them a book,” according to an announcement from the mall. Reservations are encouraged but not required to have a photo taken with Santa. Digital photo packages are available with options to purchase prints and a family portrait.

There will be lots of photo ops with Santa and kids at Woodland Mall this season. (Supplied)

On Saturday, Nov. 20, the mall will host a welcome event for Santa with a parade lead by the Kentwood High School Dance Team. From 10 am. to noon, Santa will be escorted on a train alongside a holiday penguin, traveling juggler and magician. The parade route will start in the Von Maur wing, travel through the JCPenney wing and end at Macy’s court.

Beginning Nov. 22, “fur babies” — family pets — will again be welcome to visit with Santa for photos on Mondays through Dec. 20. Feathered and whiskered pets of all kinds are welcome — Santa has met dogs, cats, chickens and even goats over the years. All pets may join as long as they are kept on a leash or in a crate at all times.

Santa will again bring his friends for extra special photo opportunities. Shoppers are invited to join their favorite characters beginning Nov. 23 on Tuesdays through Dec. 14 from 4-7 p.m. Reservations are encouraged but not required. To learn which characters are visiting, please visit ShopWoodlandMall.com.

Celebrate the season for a good cause

Woodland Mall has partnered with the Salvation Army to give back to children in the community. Shoppers will find the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Macy’s wing near the Apple Store starting Nov. 19 and running through Dec. 15.

Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the Mall Management Office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After office hours, gifts can be dropped off with mall security.

And, of course, Black Friday

Woodland Mall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day to allow retail employees to enjoy the holiday with their families. The mall will reopen at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26, so guests can enjoy an early start to the traditional shopping weekend.

Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

Woodland Mall continues to offer a contactless shopping experience through its Mall2Go: Contact-Free Pickup designated parking spaces.
 

Woodland Mall hours leading up to the holidays are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to  9 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. (But, hint to shoppers, to avoid the crowds, Woodland Mall recommends shopping Monday through Thursday when traffic is at a lighter pace.)

On Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the mall will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Woodland Mall will be closed on Christmas Day. On Dec. 26, the mall will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit ShopWoodlandMall.com for a full list of in-store deals and retailer information.
 

Woodland Mall appreciates shoppers’ cooperation and understanding as several retailers and restaurants enter the busiest time of the year short staffed.

The safety of all guests remains a top priority for PREIT. Woodland Mall asks all visitors to follow Kent County Health Department, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and CDC recommendations to keep the community safe and healthy.

Celebrate the holiday season at Blandford’s Pioneer Holiday Celebration

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

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By Blandford Nature Center 

Blandford Nature Center welcomes West Michigan families to join us at our Annual Pioneer Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 8th, 2018, from 12-4pm located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The program is the perfect way to kick off the Grand Rapids holiday season with festive favorites and holiday traditions for guests of all ages to enjoy.

“Winter is a beautiful season! This event allows families to get out in nature and experience the beauty of Blandford while also learning about history and engaging in Pioneer traditions. We will also offer traditional holiday concessions available such as coffee, hot cocoa, and roasted marshmallows free of charge”, says Amber Kilpatrick, Community Programs Manager.

Several activities will be available to visitors such as cookie decorating, creating ornaments, candle dipping, making stick gnomes, cookie making, marshmallow roasting, snow snake games outdoors and more. Visitors are also encouraged to tour the historical buildings on site and explore life as an early pioneer in the one-room schoolhouse, log cabin and blacksmith shop.

Guests can also visit the wildlife ambassadors inside the Wildlife Education Center and farm animals over at the Blandford Farm (3143 Milo St NW). As usual, the trails will be open for exploration plus information will be available on how Blandford gift memberships make a great holiday gift.

The event is open to the public with admission fees of $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Children 2 years and younger will be admitted for free. For registration and more event details, go here.

For more information, please email Blandford Nature Center at social@blandfordnaturecenter.org or call 616-735-6240.

Van Andel Arena is all wrapped up with a bow out front

3-bottom, Entertainment, , , ,

ribbonvaaBy Mike Klompstra

Van Andel Arena

 

Fans making their way to Van Andel Arena for the Stevie Nicks concert on Wednesday night will notice something bright and shiny on the front of the arena.

 

The holiday season has arrived once again which means Van Andel Arena will have itself wrapped in more than just a busy schedule of events. A giant, red ribbon has been installed on the face of the arena to celebrate the holidays.

 

This will be the third season the ribbon, decked out in many red lights to shine a bright and stunning display throughout the night, has been installed on the arena. It is eight feet wide and spans across the front of Van Andel Arena, reaching 300 feet all the way across.

 

As it has the previous three years, the ribbon will remain displayed on the arena throughout the holiday season.

 

In lieu of a tree, arena staff decided to do something a little different to celebrate the holidays in 2014 by installing the ribbon. Christmas Décor by Lakeshore Lighting built the ribbon for the arena and installs it each year.

Santa Sends His ‘Elves and More’ to Donate 1,800 New Bikes to Kids

Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, , , , , ,

Elves and MoreOn Saturday, December 19, children near the Godfrey-Lee school district right here in Wyoming, MI received a surprise gift sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Thanks to the 11th annual Elves & More West Michigan project, 1,800 kids went home as brand-new bike owners.

Each year, organizers of Elves & More decide on an area of need in West Michigan, and bring Christmas joy to families by giving away bikes to kids age 3-16. The location is kept secret until the morning of the giveaway, and then the message is released in a hurry! Families in the Godfrey-Lee area were alerted by a last-minute text through the school district, and the Wyoming police and fire department rolled through neighborhoods announcing the giveaway from their loudspeakers.

Elves and MoreThis year, 300 volunteers unloaded a bevy of bikes from semi-trucks and set up at Lee Middle and High school off of Havana Avenue.

Elves & More is a non-profit organization devoted to bringing hope to children. They do this by raising funds to purchase, assemble and deliver high-quality bikes and treasure boxes to 1,000 children each holiday season.

In the past 11 years, Elves & More West Michigan has provided 11,800 new bikes and helmets to children in need around Grand Rapids.

Last year, 1,500 bikes were donated in Southeast Grand Rapids.

If you’re looking to get involved for next holiday season, visit Elves & More West Michigan! A donation of $65 buys one lucky child a bike and a helmet. This past year, 13 corporate donors helped provide the 1,800 bikes now tearing up the black top in Godfrey-Lee!