PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority will host “Christmas in the Village,” with the lighting Friday night, Dec. 2, of the Village Christmas Tree located in front of the Carnegie, 129 S. Kalamazoo St., and continue Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. with the Children’s Christmas Parade.
The parade will line up on Gremps Street, down from the village Department of Public Works building in the dirt parking lot behind St. Julian Winery. All participants must enter the starting area via Commercial/Industrial streets and park in the village lot between Paw Paw Brew Pub and Gremps.
Costumed characters will get into costume at the DPW building on the west end closest to Gremps Street. The parade will travel down Gremps Street to Michigan Avenue, head east on Michigan Avenue, to Main Street, and continue down Main Street to end in front of Tyler Field on Main and Liberty streets, just past Freshwater Community Church.
Santa will be dropped off at Freshwater and children will meet Santa for photos and treats in the Community Room, entering at Entrance C. Costumed characters will proceed down one door to the gymnasium where they will get out of costume.
A free movie will be shown at the Strand Theater following the parade at 1 p.m., sponsored by the Paw Paw Kiwanis Club.
Santa will also be at the Carnegie for cookies, cocoa and free photos, Dec. 15 and 16, from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., sponsored by the Paw Paw DDA.
Parade entry forms may be obtained by contacting: m.springer@pawpaw.net
A benefit concert for community healing centers will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. at The Lucky Wolf, 404 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw.
Scheduled performances will include Peter Melichar, folk rock/alternative country; Dave Johnson, roots rock/alternative country; and Matthew Borr, folk/blues.
Tickets are $20, with $25 pref. Ages 12 and under are free with adult.
For more information, visit: www.Theluckywolfpawpaw.com.
MATTAWAN – Santa will make his appearance at Mattawan Memorial Park, Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., where the Lighting of the Trees will also take place.
Also on Saturday, Dec. 3, the Mattawan Lions Club will have a Santa Event at the Antwerp Activity Center, from 10 a.m. to noon, with the first 200 children receiving a stocking.
The Mattawan Lions Club is accepting Christmas Gift Donations for local Mattawan Consolidated School District families. Donations will be available for these families who sign up prior to Christmas Distribution on Saturday, Dec. 17.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Vaughn at (269) 217-1820 or email: evaughn9465@gmail.com