The Village of Holland and the Community Development Committee will present Happy Holland Days at 2 p.m., Saturday, December 4, at Strawberry Acres Park.
The new event replaces the annual tree lighting ceremony and features family activities, entertainment, food and a special visitor from the North Pole.
Walker Funeral Home is the presenting sponsor for the inaugural event which begins at 2 p.m. with the dedication of a new Christmas tree donated by Keith Walker and Duke Wheeler of Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm.
From 2 to 4 p.m., there will be activity stations lining the path around the park and train rides in the parking area of the playground. Entertainment, including the JROTC Drill
Entertainment, including the JROTC Drill Team and SHS brass band, will be among the featured performers at 2:15, 2:45, 3:15 and 3:45 p.m., prior to the arrival of Santa Claus. The Holland Branch Library will offer opportunities for residents to warm up inside for storytimes and activities at 2:30, 3 and 3:30 p.m.
Santa will arrive at Strawberry Acres Lodge at 4 p.m., courtesy of the Springfield Township Fire Department, and will visit with children until the event concludes at 6 p.m. Scott Stigall of State Farm is sponsoring photos with Santa.
During the afternoon’s festivities, the Springfield Blue Devil and Chick-fil-A cow mascots will be out and about, greeting visitors and food vendors will be on hand offering a number of tasty selections and warm drinks.
Students from Penta Career Center will have a selection of holiday gingerbread houses on display, and the cosmetology department will offer nail decorating and facepainting. A collection will be set up
A collection will be set up for Herb’s Heroes, an organization that works in conjunction with Springfield Schools to provide presents to students in need during Christmas.
Anyone who donates an unwrapped gift during Happy Holland Days will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas tickets.
The Community Development Committee, which is organizing Happy Holland Days, is seeking additional businesses and organizations to participate. Anyone interested in a booth, offering entertainment or being a food vendor for the event may call committee chair Jane Maiolo at 419-260-1540 or Leslie Ferman at the village, 419-865-7104. In addition to Walker Fu
In addition to Walker Funeral Home, participating sponsors include Dwelling Place, Holland Police Department, McClure Insurance Group, Metroparks Toledo, Springfield Area Prevention Coalition, Springfield Township fire department, the township public services department, TARTA and Welch Publishing/Holland-Springfield Journal.
The committee is seeking 20 children between the ages of 5 and 10 to be “snowflakes” at the new Christmas tree dedication, which will take place at 2 p.m. Parents can sign up their children by calling Jane Maiolo at 419-260-1540 or Kristina White at 867-5600.
