Families, friends and area residents are invited to Strawberry Acres Park for the second “Happy Holland Days.” The Village of Holland and the Community Development Committee organized the event, which begins at 3:30 p.m., tomorrow, December 3.
Happy Holland Days replaces the annual tree lighting ceremony and features family activities, entertainment, food and a special visitor from the North Pole.
With the pandemic no longer impacting plans, activities will be moved indoors to the Lodge at Strawberry Acres and Holland Branch Library.
Visitors may enter the lodge and library beginning at 3:30 p.m., where there will be activities prior to the arrival of the jolly old elf.
Students from Penta Career Center’s cosmetology program will offer face painting at the library, where there will be library-sponsored additional activities, and Compelled Church will host children’s projects in the lodge.
Metroparks will be on hand with a craft at the lodge, where cookies, courtesy of Walker Funeral Home, will be served.
In the drive circling the lodge will be vehicles from area first responders and a lighted Nativity display. Smashdawgz’s also will have its food truck set up at the lodge for hungry visitors. During the afternoon’s festivities, the Springfield Blue Devil and Chick-fil-A cow mascots will be out and about greeting visitors. At 4:30 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive at the lodge, courtesy of the Springfield Township Fire Department, and will visit with children. Scott Stigall of State Farm is sponsoring complimentary photos with Santa.
At 5:45 p.m., the Springfield High School brass ensemble will perform holiday tunes as they–accompanied by Santa Claus–lead visitors from the lodge to the Christmas tree, donated last year by Walker Funeral Homes and the Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm.
“We are looking forward to seeing all our friends and neighbors at the lodge,” said Holland Mayor Lee Irons.
