Downtown Ferndale Lights the Night

(Crystal A. Proxmire, 11/18/2011)

One of the season’s first chilly nights was made merry by the Downtown Ferndale’s Third Thursday Light the Night Event.  Businesses along 9 Mile and Woodward got decked in a way they haven’t for years, with an abundance of lights and festive window displays.

Merchants offered holiday specials and The Music Messengers strolled up and down West 9 Mile, playing instruments and singing Christmas carols, and fun variations of them.  Their surprise visit to AJs for a round of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town Blues” got the AJs, aka the “little cafe that could” rockin’ while across the street at Elegance by Design, Thornetta Davis graced visitors with her lovely voice, in a store full of beautifully trimmed trees and other home decor.  Scroll down to the the video of the Music Messengers at AJs.

“I haven’t seen Downtown Ferndale this lit up in years,” said Dean Bach, owner of Dino’s Lounge (22740 Woodward).  “Look we got the Rust Belt there all lit up.  It’s so nice having something in that space.  And the big trees here at the intersection. All the stores that did lights and windows.  We got music.  This is how a great Downtown should be at the holidays.”

Light the Night was part of the Third Thursdays tradition of a special theme one day a month to get business owners involved in promoting the community, and give shoppers a special experience.  Find out more about Downtown Development Authority (DDA) activities at www.downtownferndale.com.  Find Ferndale events at http://oaklandcounty115.com/test-event-page/.