Parade of lights to end with tree lighting at museum

by Angie Asam–

SANTA AND his reindeer are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Friday’s parade of lights which will end at the Presque Isle County Historical Museum with the lighting of the community Christmas tree. (Photo by Angie Asam)

Staff Writer

Friday at 6 p.m. the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce is conducting a parade of lights. The parade will begin at Westminster Park and continue down Third Street before looping around using Huron Avenue and Fourth Street to end on Michigan Avenue near the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.

The parade will carry the holiday spirit, ignited last week with the lighting of the trees at Westminster Park by the Optimist Club, to the museum where a community Christmas tree will be lit by a lucky child who has their name drawn. Children are also being asked to make ornaments to help decorate the tree. Local business owner Ellen Planck has been an instrumental part in the community Christmas tree planning as she has been working to light up the city.

The city spent some money to increase the holiday decorations in the downtown by adding lights to all of the trees. The lights on the trees and lightpoles will be turned on following Friday’s parade. Planck took on the task of trying to have downtown businesses sponsor the downtown trees by making donations. She was able to raise $1,500 before the city stepped up to foot the rest of the bill. The lights will stay  up all year round.

Caroling will take place on the lawn of the museum and children can enter their name to be drawn to light up the community tree following the parade. Planck is hopeful that downtown businesses will stay open that evening until 8 p.m. to allow people to do some local holiday shopping.

Children will be able to g

o into Rogers City Home Furnishings, the North Shore, Jean’s Gifts, Domaci Gallery, Richard’s Clothing, Painted Lady, Grulke Hardware, Family Dollar, Chee Peng, the Lighthouse, Scill’s Grill and The Center of Rogers City to enter their names into the drawing to be chosen to light the community Christmas tree. Children can also sign up on the day of the event beginning at 6 p.m.

All the stores listed above will also remain open until 8 p.m. that evening to kick off holiday shopping in the downtown. In addition visitors to those stores between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 can enter to win a door prize.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the museum where Santa Claus will be anxiously awaiting to hear the Christmas wishes of the children.