By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
LAWRENCE
The eighth annual Lawrence Hometown Christmas Celebration will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, with a full day of events, culminating with a Light Up Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.
The day begins with a breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Lawrence American Legion Hall.
From 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., a craft show will be held at the Lawrence Township Hall, 411 North Paw Paw St. Over 25 different vendors are scheduled to be at the craft show. Among the many different items that will be on sale and craft shops include crochet, tumblers, quilting, dehydrated candies, ornaments, wreaths, wooden signs, Sweet Street Nails, Pink Zebra, and more.
From noon to 2 p.m., Amish buggy rides will be offered. At 1 p.m., a chili cook-off will be held at the Lawrence Township Emergency Services building.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Lawrence Branch Van Buren District Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Also offered during that time will be kids’ crafts activities.
From 4 to 5:30, a Christmas music performance will be held at the newly opened Fruit Street.
The Light Up Christmas Parade will step off at 6 p.m. at Lawrence Public Schools, then travel down St. Joseph Street east to the Lawrence Village Park.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will then make their way to the Lawrence Village Park, where they will light up the Christmas Tree.
Following the 6 p.m. parade, Christmas carols by the Lawrence High School Band, followed by cookies and hot chocolate will be served at the Lawrence American Legion Hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
To participate in the parade contact Arnie Redsicker at: aredsicker@gmail.com
For information on the Lawrence house decorating contest, contact Phil Glennie at (269) 569-1405.
The day’s activities are sponsored by the Lawrence Community Development Committee and the Village of Lawrence.
LAWTON
The Village of Lawton will usher in the holiday season with Lawton’s Lighted Christmas Parade, Friday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Lighting of the Tree at 7 p.m. at Reid’s Corner, located in downtown Lawton. The parade line-up will begin at 6 p.m., on James Street, located behind Big T’s restaurant. The event will conclude at the Lawton Fire Department Hall, where participants and others can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, courtesy of Element Salon and Thornton Insurance. Christmas crafts will be at the Lawton Library, from 6 to 8 p.m., before and after the parade.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Lawton Lions Club will have caroling. Those attending are asked to gather at The Old Winery (formerly the Lawton Community Center) at 6 p.m., where they will then be transported by Buster’s Hayride to White Oaks Assisted Living to carol with the residents. Refreshments will be available at The Old Winery following the caroling.
The Village of Lawton DDA will hold a “Deck the House” holiday house decorating contest, following the same guidelines as last year. Eligible homes will need to be within two miles of the village limit. Deadline for contest entry is Dec. 11, with judging on Dec. 14, between 7 and 9 p.m.