Christmas in Lights

IRON RIVER—It’s a white Christmas this year for the ninth annual Christmas in Lights celebration on Dec. 6 in Iron River.
There are many events planned to ring in the Christmas season, including a craft fair, bake sale, chili feed, shopping specials, a visit with Santa, fireworks and the Christmas parade.
The city of Iron River will celebrate its 100-year anniversary with an open house at the Iron River City Hall from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. There will be a short program at 5 p.m., and cookies and refreshments will be served.
New this year is the Deck the House holiday lights contest. A number of area homes are decked-out for the event. All are welcome to vote on Dec. 6 by driving around, following the map and filling out a ballot or emailing votes to the Chamber at info@iron.org.
Ballots and maps will be available at the Chamber office. Cash prizes of $875 will be divided by the Deck the House winners for first, second and third place.
Christmas in Lights events begin at the Windsor Center with the arts and crafts fair at 9 a.m. Hand-made holiday gifts, décor and baked goods will be available at the annual event from over 40 vendors. There will also be pulled-pork sandwiches for lunchtime. The show will take place until 3 p.m. The Windsor Center is located on U.S. 2 between Sixth and Seventh avenues.
Early risers can attend the First Saturday Coffee at the Beechwood Town Hall. Neighbors and visitors can share some holiday coffee or tea 8-10 a.m.
The West Iron District Library will host a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come early and get holiday sweets. Bring the children for a visit with Santa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the late afternoon, the library will have a chili feed from 4 to 6 p.m. to get everyone warmed up before the Christmas parade. The library events are sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
The Christmas in Lights Parade will begin at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Yooper Christmas.” The parade route will be slightly different this year. The lighted floats will line up on either side of Genesee Street beginning in the area by the post office. They will make their way east down Genesee Street though downtown Iron River to the RV Park. At the park, they will file into the circle to be judged.
Parade watchers can follow the floats to the RV Park for cookies and hot chocolate.
The evening will conclude with a holiday pyrotechnics fireworks display in the night sky above Iron River.
Throughout the day, area shops will offer specials and refreshments. It will be a bright day in Iron River on Dec. 6 for the Christmas in Lights celebration, sponsored by the Iron County Chamber of Commerce and the Iron River Downtown Development Association.
For more information, contact the Iron County Chamber of Commerce at 265-3822 or write toinfo@iron.org.

By: Janet Rohde, Kevin Zini

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