Families, friends and area residents are invited to Strawberry Acres Park to the inaugural “Happy Holland Days.” The Village of Holland and the Community Development Committee organized the event, which begins at 2 p.m., Saturday, December 4.
Happy Holland Days replaces the annual tree lighting ceremony and features family activities, a train ride, entertainment, food and a special visitor from the North Pole.
Walker Funeral Home is the presenting sponsor for the inaugural event which kicks off with the dedication of a new Christmas tree donated by Keith Walker and Duke Wheeler of Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm.
Mr. Walker also is donating cookies and milk for youngsters visiting with Santa.
Following dedication of the new tree, residents are invited to stroll the path around the park to check out activities being offered by organizations and businesses. From 2 to 4 p.m., the stations will offer activities and the Springfield Area Prevention Coalition will host train rides in the parking area of the playground.
Nearby will be a model train display that is sure to delight the young and young at heart. A Living Nativity also will be featured near the lodge.
Entertainment, including the JROTC Drill Team at 2:15 p.m. and SHS brass band at 3:45 p.m. will be among the featured performers. The drill team will perform in the parking lot area of the lodge and, in keeping with tradition, the band will play holiday songs 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.
Students from Penta Career Center’s culinary program will display holiday gingerbread houses, and cosmetology program students will offer nail decorating and face painting at the library.
The jolly elf from the North Pole 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.
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.
In addition to Walker Funeral Home, participating sponsors include Dwelling Place, Florian Insurance, Great Lakes Audiology, Hidden Harbour Lake, 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.
Residents are encouraged to dress for the weather as–due to the pandemic–most activities will take place outdoors.
“We are very excited and look forward to seeing all our friends and neighbors at Happy Holland Days,” said Roger Trowbridge of the community development committee.
