WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

Santa Parade and Christmas tree-lighting harken the holiday season in GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Following the 103rd annual Grand Rapids Santa Parade with a big Christmas tree lighting ceremony proved to be a big hit with the thousands of people who watched the events downtown Saturday evening, Dec. 7.

The parade sponsored by Gentex traditionally has taken place on a Saturday afternoon. But this year, the parade got underway around 5 p.m. at Michigan Street and headed down Division Avenue, eventually making its way westward on Louis Avenue before culminating behind Rosa Parks Circle. WOOD-TV has more on that.

The big man in the red-and-white suit, Santa Claus, deboarded his sleigh and headed over to the Rosa Parks Circle stage with Mrs. Claus and the amphitheater's ice-skating surface. Several thousands were there to greet him and various Grand Rapids dignitaries for the tree-lighting around 6:45 p.m.

The spectators jam-packed near the Christmas tree and adjacent tents between the amphitheater and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Looking eastward the crowd extended down Monroe Center to Ottawa Avenue.

WOOD-TV 8 televised the tree lighting ceremony. It also noted the annual Grand Rapids Santa Parade dates back even before the Thanksgiving Day parade in Detroit. The station's Maranda helped St. Nicholas flip the switch to light the tree after a big countdown.

The Salvation Army Brass Band participated, and after the crowd cheered the tree lighting, Christmas songs like "Joy to the World," "Hark the Herald Angels," and "Jingle Bells" were played.

The Salvation Army is seeking donations through its Red Kettle campaign to help those in need. And it is seeking volunteers at the red kettles. Here is the website link.

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The Christmas tree moments after being lit on Saturday night, Dec. 7, 2024, adjacent to Rosa Parks Circle and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Photo: Photo by James Gemmell

A view of the stage and ice-skating rink at Rosa Parks Circle ahead of the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 7, 2024. Photo: Photo by James Gemmell

Grand Rapids Griffins' mascot Griff was seen making the rounds through the crowd near the Christmas tree adjacent to Rosa Parks Circle on 12/7/24 in downtown Grand Rapids. Photo: Photo by James Gemmell

Thousands of people attended the 103rd annual Grand Rapids Santa Parade and then headed to Monroe Center for the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. Photo: Photo by James Gemmell


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