Attending the tree dedication ceremony were, from left, Springfield Township Trustee Bob Bethel; Keith Walker of Walker Funeral Homes who paid for the new tree to be transplanted at Strawberry Acres Park; Holland Council president Ryan Spangler; Holland Mayor Lee Irons, and Springfield Schools Superintendent Matt Geha. Happy Holland Days at Strawberry Acres Park featured a variety of activities for families and children on a relatively mild and unusually sunny December 4. Top row left, train rides delighted youngsters visiting Toyland, which was sponsored by the Springfield Area Prevention Coalition; middle, Quin-Nia Henderson and Rebekah Vasquez were among student volunteers who helped out during the four-hour event; right, members of the SHS brass band perform prior to the arrival of Santa Claus. Second row left, princesses and superheroes greeted youngsters at SAPC’s Toyland; middle, Lilly Munch, 11, winner of the Holland Police Department’s coloring contest receives a basket of art supplies from Lieutenant Jim Piotrowski and Officer Morgan Schumann; right, Matthew and Dominic Lewandowski enjoy a coloring activity at the Holland Branch Library. Third row left and middle, Penta Career Center’s cosmetology program instructors and students offered face painting, hair braiding and temporary hair color to a number of youngsters; right, the Springfield Township Fire Department distributed fire helmets to youngsters and holiday fire safety literature to families. At left, members of the Springfield High School JROTC get a hoot out of their visit with Owlberta, the Metroparks Toledo mascot.
Village of Holland officials couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful Saturday afternoon on which to host the inaugural Happy Holland Days.
Rain a day before gave way to clear blue skies and temperatures hovering in the 40s for the outdoor festival, which began with the dedication of a new Fraser fir tree located between the park lodge and gazebo.
Holland Mayor Lee Irons welcomed residents to “what we hope will be many Happy Holland Days.”
He noted the event would not have been possible without the support of presenting sponsor Walker Funeral Homes and Whitehouse Tree Farm which donated the tree and covered the transplant cost.
Pastor Roger Trowbridge of the Dwelling Place delivered a blessing of the tree that it may grow taller and grander as the years pass.
With help from Keith Walker of Walker Funeral Homes, Mayor Irons unveiled a plaque next to the tree in recognition of the donation. The plaque read “Fraser fir donated by Whitehouse Tree Farm and Walker Funeral Homes. Dedicated December 2021.”
Mr. Walker said he was “honored to be part of Happy Holland Days. I look forward to being here for a long, long time.”
Following the dedication, residents were invited to explore activities at the park and Holland Branch Library. Those included train rides, a coloring contest, story time, games, face painting, tours of fire and police equipment and visits with princesses, superheroes, the Springfield Blue Devil and Metroparks Toledo’s Owlberta mascot.
Feez Fusions and Paco’s Tacos were on hand serving food to hungry visitors.
Entertainment was provided by the Springfield High School JROTC Drill Team followed by the brass band whose performance was capped off with a march to the lodge to greet Santa Claus. The North Pole visitor arrived courtesy of the Springfield Township Fire Department.
Families lined up eager to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and have photos taken courtesy of Scott Stigall of State Farm Insurance. Afterward, they were treated to Santa’s milk and cookies, provided by Walker Funeral Homes.
The mayor expressed appreciation to all those who attended and thanked the community development committee–an all-volunteer group–for organizing the event. “It was a great day, and I look forward to Happy Holland Days 2022,” he said.
In addition to Walker Funeral Homes and State Farm, the mayor and committee would like to thank donors and participants: the Dwelling Place, Florian Insurance, Great Lakes Audiology, Hidden Harbour Lake, Holland Branch Library, Holland Police Department, McClure Insurance Group, Metroparks Toledo, Penta Career Center, Springfield Area Prevention Coalition, Springfield Township fire and public services departments, TARTA and the Holland-Springfield Journal.
~Jane Maiolo
