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Let the holiday rumpus commence

Bob Hendrickson, IOHT

Happy Thanksgiving! The day that families and friends gather to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. Followed by the official kick-off to the holiday shopping season: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday. And that’s all before we even get four days into December.

In my last article, I mentioned how important it is to “Think Local First” while doing our holiday shopping this year. And now is the time to make that happen. As you head out the door, after eating the Thanksgiving meal, give some thought to where you’re going to spend your money. As we strategize our shopping plan, think about diversity. Your spending is part of our local community budget. Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 is your chance to invest.

The holidays aren’t just about shopping. Holiday events help build community too.

On Friday, Nov. 29 the Ishpeming Community Events will be having its annual Christmas Parade on Main Street in downtown Ishpeming. The parade starts at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting at Old Ish Park immediately afterward. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be attending, so bundle up and come on out to this traditional Christmas kick-off event.

Activities don’t stop there in downtown Ishpeming. Throughout the month of December leading up to Christmas there will be opportunities to visit with Santa at the newly constructed Santa’s Workshop that will be in place for the season at Old Ish Park. On Thursday (Dec. 5, 12 and 19) from 5-7:30 p.m., kids and parents are invited to visit with Santa. There will be horse-drawn carriage rides from 5-7 p.m. For more information, go the Ishpeming Community Events Facebook page.

Tinseltown returns to downtown Negaunee on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4-8 p.m. The town will light up with a city band performance, shopping specials, a parade at 6 p.m. and a gathering at the Winter Wonderland Park for the Christmas tree lighting across from the Negaunee Fire Department. Santa will be at the Negaunee Elks Club to meet kids and parents after the lighting. For more information go to the Downtown Negaunee Association Facebook page or the Negaunee Irontown Association website at: www.negauneeirontown.org.

During all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, take a few moments to appreciate what it is all about: celebration, family, community, sharing, caring and giving.

Editor’s note: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.

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