The Village of Holland is returning to celebrating the holidays with a tree lighting on Thursday, December 5.
Originally held on the first Thursday of December, the event was changed to Saturday several years ago.
Event organizers believe moving the tree lighting to its traditional Thursday will attract more residents, who are often busy on weekends during the holidays.
The tree lighting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., at Strawberry Acres Park, 950 South McCord Road, Holland.
The Springfield High School band and choir will perform after which the tree will be lit. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive immediately following the tree lighting aboard a Springfield Township fire truck.
Santa will visit with children inside the lodge where cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
There also will be children’s activities and photos of children with Santa will be offered, compliments of Scott Stigall, State Farm Insurance.
New this year will be a 24 foot pre-lit artificial Christmas tree near the gazebo and lodge.
Over the past few years, two pine trees have been planted to replace the tree at the island on Angola, McCord and Clark streets.
Although that tree is still standing, its proximity to electrical lines made it unsafe to decorate.
Walker Funeral Home donated the first pine tree several years ago, but it died. Hoen’s Orchard donated a second one, but it, too, failed to thrive and was removed several months ago.
The new tree, approved for purchase by village council, is expected to be ready in time for the holiday ceremony.
