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 The Lucky Wolf, 404 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw.
Scheduled performances will include Peter Melichar, folk rock/alternative country; Dave Johnson, roots rock/alternatice 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
LAWRENCE –
The Village of Lawrence will celebrate “Christmas in the Village,” Dec. 10, 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, with proceeds benefitting the Old Lawrence Town Hall.
From 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., a craft show will be held at the Lawrence Township Hall.
From noon to 3 p.m., a chili cook-off and ice sculpting 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.
Carolers will be in the village from around the village from 2 to 6 p.m.
The Allegan Brass Collective will be at the Freedom Bar & Grill from 4 to 6 p.m.
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, cookie 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.
LAWTON –
The Village of Lawton will usher in the holiday season with a Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. Followed by a Lighting of the tree at 7:15 p.m. The event will conclude at the Lawton Fire Department Hall, where participants can enjoy refreshments.
LAWTON – 4 Churches 4 Jesus to Offer a Live Nativity
A live nativity, a Community Kindness Group event, sponsored by 4 Churches 4 Jesus, made up of four area United Methodist churches, Paw Paw United Methodist, Almena United Methodist, St. Paul’s United Methodist, and Lawrence United Methodist, will be held Friday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 63855 M-40, Lawton.
The event will feature an outdoor, guided, lit path telling a story by local actors and music by The Fellowship Choir through four biblical scenes: magi, angels and shepherds, inn and stable keeper and the nativity/manger.
A welcome station will offer hot cocoa, candy, bookmarks, and church service information. There will also be a free-will donation box available to help support the purchase of Christmas meals and gifts for those in need in the community. Participants may also join in singing Christmas carols, as groups gather for their journey.
The manger scene will feature animals from Chamberlain’s Pony/TC Farms, a Detroit-area business. The animals are friendly for children to pet.
Those attending are asked to use the entrance to the event off 31st Street and exit on 64th Street. The event will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. A guided host will lead groups, starting every 10 minutes between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and again from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Over 50 volunteers are assisting to provide “a safe and wonderful family event for the community,” according to organizers.