Ortonville- Christmas in the Village is back– with a new starting time.
The Ortonville Chamber of Commerce has changed the time of the annual event to 3-8 p.m., Dec. 3. In previous years, Christmas in the Village ran from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Jane Derry, director of Christmas in the Village, says the time was changed because two crowds were coming out– families with children would stay until about 1 p.m. and then an evening crowd would come.
‘It was too long and too cold for families to stay out that long,? says Derry. ‘We can accomplish everything in this timeframe.?
With the new time, Derry and the Chamber of Commerce are hoping to have both crowds for the entire length of the event, which will include a parade, cookie walks, children’s craft activities, a scavenger hunt, visits with Santa and food– including a ham dinner at the Ortonville United Methodist Church and chili, hot dogs, sloppy joes and soup at the Masonic Hall as well as coffee, soup, bread and sweets at the Old Mill.
Derry says no programs have been dropped and there will be a few additions this year, including sing-a-long caroling beginning at 5 p.m. and Christmas with the Paint Creek Boys at 6 p.m., both in the Old Town Hall. Crafters will be in stores this year and several merchants will be open, including D.L. Bonner, Paris Dreams, Raymond James Financial, Thompson’s Hardware and Brandon Martial Arts.
Downtown business owners are also encouraged to participate in the third annual Ortonville Merchant Store Front Decorating Contest. First, second and third place prizes will be given after a People’s Choice vote. Displays should be complete no later than the morning of Dec. 3 and kept up all day for public viewing.
For more information on Christmas in the Village or the decorating contest, call Jane Derry at (248) 778-7127.