Tri-County Citizen

Chesaning Christmas Candlelight Walk marks 35th anniversary


Thousands of lights and hundreds of candles will light up the streets of downtown Chesaning Nov. 23 and 24. File Photo

Thousands of lights and hundreds of candles will light up the streets of downtown Chesaning Nov. 23 and 24. File Photo

CHESANING – The Chesaning Chamber of Commerce Candlelight Walk committee is hard at work behind the scenes preparing for the 35th annual Christmas Candlelight Walk, scheduled for Nov. 23 and 24, the Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

Many new activities have been added to this year’s event to mark the special occasion, including a petting zoo, pony rides, and the return of reindeer. Kringle’s Krossing, a special area for vendors and children’s activities, will offer free reusable shopping bags sponsored by local businesses and organizations; supplies are limited.

The Chesaning Christmas Candlelight Walk has become a family tradition for many. Visitors stroll along the downtown business district and the boulevard with the glow of hundreds of candles and thousands of twinkling lights. The Jordan River Band provides live music; and there’s a special treelighting and sing-along at 6 p.m. nightly.

Local churches have placed nativity scenes along the boulevard for viewing as they have a friendly competition to see who will win the traveling trophy for this year’s Challenge of the Nativity. Enjoy a free horse-drawn carriage ride while mingling with friends and family in the festive atmosphere.

Activities on the boulevard that are sure to delight include the games Penguin Bowling and Gift-Tac-Toe, as well as special props for photo-ops. The creative Gingerbread Houses decorated by local Chesaning Big Rock, Zion Lutheran and Christ Lutheran elementary school students will be on display in the windows of downtown businesses, and be sure to stop by Neu-Rich Jewelers from 6-8 p.m. to write a letter to Santa. Once again, the Chesaning Lion’s Club will be located downtown to offer roasted chestnuts and other treats for purchase. The Chesaning Historical Museum will also be open nightly from 5-9 p.m.

This year is also the 20th anniversary of the Festival of Trees, held inside The Public House (formerly the Peet Community Center) at 130 N. Saginaw St. Visitors can stroll through the decorated trees, wreaths and gift items donated by the Chesaning business community and local organizations. All will be raffled off to lucky winners who deposit their raffle tickets in the box near the prize they hope to win.

Santa will be there to ask children what they hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning. The Santa’s Secret Surprise game returns; for a small fee, pick a present. Each present contains either a small prize or possibly a gift of money. Enjoy hot cocoa provided by Zion Lutheran Church while browsing the selection of treats at the Chesaning Historical Society bake sale.

As visitors make their way west along Broad Street, they can enjoy performances by carolers at different locations along the route. Inside the Chesaning First Church of the Nazarene and Core Fitness and Tanning children can decorate a Christmas cookie and watch a familyfriendly magic show by Paul Martin; as well as other children’s activities supported by church members and Chesaning High School National Honor Society students. Jim Gengler’s Holiday Jam will be there on Friday only.

Other activities during the weekend include the annual Chesaning Music Boosters Arts and Crafts Show at the high school and middle school and a craft bazaar offered at St. Peter Parish. Opening the same weekend, Santa’s Village at North Pole USA can be found at the Saginaw County Fairgrounds in Chesaning, featuring a model train display, Santa, a food court, carnival rides, Kris Kringle’s Market and holiday entertainment. Children’s rides and activities are included in the admission fee. For more information contact the Saginaw Fair Office at (989) 845-2143 or go to www.saginawcountyfair.org.

The Candlelight Walk could not happen without the help of many businesses, organizations and volunteers. This year’s sponsors include Broad Street Events, CenturyLink, Chesaning First Church of the Nazarene, Core Fitness and Tanning, Chesaning Lions Club, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Homes by Stoddards, LaClair Sales Inc., M&T Tree Service, Inc., Nelson- House Funeral Homes-Martin Chapel, Pintown Pizza & Lanes, St. Peter Parish, Santa’s Village at North Pole USA, Showboat Restaurant, Studio 124, The Silver Thimble, Valentine Mini Storage and Zion Lutheran Church.

Call the Chesaning Chamber of Commerce for a complete list of activities for the Christmas Candlelight Walk at (989) 845-3055 or visit the website at www.chesaningchamber.org.