By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in one of those Christmas movies that air on the Hallmark Channel?
If so, then Together Otsego Prospers (TOP) invites you to come out for the annual Otsego Hometown Christmas festivities on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Otsego mayor Stacey Withee is one of the event organizers.
“This event is special,” Withee said. “For anyone who ever wished they could find themselves in a Christmas movie from that popular TV channel, Hometown Christmas brings a little bit of that spirit.
“There is community, happy children, a chance to gather together and Santa making his appearance at the end of the parade, culminating in lighting the tree.”
While TOP organizes the event, Withee said Hometown Christmas is very much a collaborative effort.
“I believe what makes this particular event so special is the number of community groups, organizations and churches that come together to put it on,” she said. “It is not just on one organization to pull together the volunteers and resources needed.”
Hometown Christmas begins at noon with the Holiday Farmers Market at the Otsego Church of God. The market will remain open until 6 p.m., which is when the Christmas parade will start along M-89 through downtown Otsego.
New this year is a picture area at the TOP Pavilion from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Also for the first time, volunteers from the Otsego Christmas Ministry will be at the pavilion from 4 to 8 p.m. explaining the organization’s mission and collecting monetary and gift donations to help families in need during the holiday season.
“TOP and the Hometown Christmas committee are always looking to add value and additional community partners to this event,” Withee said of the new additions.
Other events include:
- Food trucks from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
- Hayrides along the riverfront from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Wandering carolers (from the Otsego High School choir) from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Fire pit warming stations at the pavilion from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Handbells at the pavilion from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Community dinner at the pavilion from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Santa visits at the pavilion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Cider and donuts at the pavilion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Hot chocolate at the pavilion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Live nativity at the pavilion from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
- Parade on M-89 at 6 p.m.
- Tree lighting at the pavilion area at 6:30 p.m.
- Live music at Liquid Note at 8 p.m.
“Come and join us,” Withee said. “There are a wide variety of things to do and a family could enjoy the whole event without having to spend a penny, thanks to our sponsors and community partners.”
