Santa Visits the Holiday Showplace

(Crystal A. Proxmire, 12/05/2011)

The Annual Holiday Showplace is a large craft fair that takes place at the Kulick Community Center and benefits Ferndale Seniors. The event is never fails to attract an eclectic variety of artists and crafters, each of whom brings not only their products, but also their smiles and holiday cheer.

Attendees pay only $1 to get in the door, and the money raised goes to help fund Senior projects and trips. And in conjunction with the Showplace, Ferndale Recreation hosted breakfast and lunch with Santa. The jolly man in the red suit with the fluffy white beard entertained dozens of youngsters who came to sit on his lap, get their picture taken, and share their holiday wishes.

“These Ferndale kids have been good this year,” Santa said, noting that the Holiday Showplace and the Winter Ice Festival – taking place next weekend in Downtown Ferndale – are two of his favorite stops.

In addition to giving Ferndale families a low-cost, more personable alternative to the mall Santa experience, the day-long event gives crafters a chance to connect and show off their homemade gifts.

Wendy Santos of Oak Park sold reindeer magnets and pins made out of clothespins, along with handmade jewelry. Santos says the event is fun and for a good cause. “I’ve been doing this four years at this show, and I love being able to help the Kulick center. We need to keep our dying society alive for the seniors, God knows what’s going to happen by the time I’m that age. There aren’t many employees left in the building, and I’d hate to see our community loose a place where so much happens, especially for the kids and the seniors.”

Wilhemmina Williams was so impressed with the jewelry Santos made that she went all the way home to Southfield to bring back more money. “You can’t get jewelry like this at a store,” she said. “It’s so unique and a lot less than you’d pay anywhere else.”

Another unique item at the Holiday Showplace were the custom-designed light switch plate covers made by Pam Mareno of Mareno designs. The covers can feature any design that can be printed, and are made by hand using a system of epoxies. “I came here for a mom-to-mom sale last year and it was so fun. I met a lot of other moms and it really helped everyone out. I came back this year because I want to support things like that – and make some money for the holidays.”

If you missed Santa on Saturday, the big guy will be making another appearance at the Holiday Ice Festival on Dec. 10. According to the DDA (Downtown Development Authority, “MotorCity Casino Hotel presents Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market. Bigger and better than ever, this weekend starts at 4 pm, Friday, Dec. 9 with the opening of the Winterfest Market on East Nine Mile featuring a 5-story ferris wheel, a choo choo train, a local green’s market and tents filled with local artisans and their holiday decor. On Saturday, Dec. 10 Holiday Ice hits the streets with fantastic Michigan on Ice themed-sculptures by World Champion Carver Tajana Rakaur. The North Pole will be located at Planavon and West Nine Mile where kids can talk to Santa and pose for FREE photos. Also on hand, Santa’s reindeer and free hayrides. Holiday Ice sculptures will be viewable Saturday and Sunday. Winterfest Market runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition, local charities will benefit from Downtown Ferndale’s highly popular and extremely successful Warm Hearted Cookie Challenge on Dec. 10.”