Santa won’t be heading back to the North Pole after the parade this year’not right away.
Instead, he’ll head down to Depot Park where he and Mrs. Claus will preside over a community tree-lighting ceremony hosted by Independence Township Parks and Recreation. The event will take place immediately following the parade.
‘We’ll start about 7 o’clock,? said Lisa Sargent, recreation coordinator. ‘Santa will light up one of the big pine trees in the park, he’ll read a story to the crowd and then he’ll stroll around the park with Mrs. Claus so kids will have a chance to go up, say hello and get a picture with him.?
The park, she said, will be decorated with thousands of holiday lights in unique displays.
Real reindeer’perhaps Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, and maybe even Rudolph’will also stop by the park after participating in the parade.
A children’s area in the gazebo will feature games and crafts, and a drop-off spot for letters, which will be forwarded to Santa at the North Pole.
‘Santa will write back,? said Sargent.
Warming barrels will be placed around the park for warmth, with a station set up for making free S’Mores.
Plenty of hot cocoa and coffee, courtesy of Starbucks, will also be available, as will free cookies, donated by Costco and Lisa’s Confection Connection in Clarkston.
Hotdogs from Pete’s Coney will be available for $1 each.
‘We modeled this event after an old program in Baycourt Park,? said Sargent. ‘We’re looking forward to bringing back the tree lighting and making it a new tradition.?