Berkley Celebrates the Season with Hometown Holidays
(Leslie Ellis, Dec. 6, 2015)
Berkley, MI – The holiday season marched into town Saturday during the Holiday Lights Parade in Berkley.
Children of all ages crowded along 12 Mile Road to cheer as the procession of fire trucks, horse-drawn carriages carrying city officials, community groups, marching bands and, of course, Santa and his reindeer made their way along the parade route to City Hall for the annual tree-lighting ceremony.
Mary and Brennan Donovan watched near the iconic Berkley marquee with their 5-year-old son Hayden Donovan, who said Santa was his favorite part of the parade.
“I was born and raised here in Berkley,” Brennan Donovan said. “It’s a nice community event, kind of a hometown holiday spirit going on in Berkley.”
The day’s festivities kicked off in the morning with the inaugural Snowman Shuffle 5K & Family Fun Run to benefit Berkley-Huntington Woods Youth Assistance.
Then, the fun continued during the Berkley Hometown Holidays celebration put on by the Downtown Development Authority. Shops and restaurants offered discounts and specials, visitors took free trolley rides to explore businesses along 12 Mile and Coolidge Highway, kids enjoyed a petting zoo and more.
“We’ve been very pleased with the turnout we’ve had. All kinds of people have been here. The weather’s been great so that helps,” DDA events coordinator RoseAnn Nicolai said. “We were just trying to make this whole day from morning to night a great day and have people know all about the wonderful shops and places to eat in Berkley.”
 
As day turned to night and Santa’s sleigh rounded the corner from 12 Mile onto Coolidge, a crowd gathered around the gazebo outside City Hall for the tree-lighting ceremony. Berkley City Councilmembers Steve Baker, Dan Terbrack, Alan Kideckel, Eileen Steadman, Jack Blanchard and Tina Edgar were on hand, as well as 45A District Court Judge Jamie Wittenberg, state Rep. Robert Wittenberg and state Sen. Marty Knollenberg.
Standing in front of the tree, Mayor Phil O’Dwyer told Santa: “The boys and girls of the city of Berkley have been wonderful. You’ll want to spend a moment with each of them.”
“I will!” Santa exclaimed, before receiving a key to the city, flipping on the lights and taking children onto his lap to hear about their wish lists.
Santa promised the children that the key to the city also was the key to their hearts and would let him visit each and every one of them this Christmas.
Thank you to Darrel Ellis Photography for providing the pictures.  Check out more of his work at http://www.darrelellisphotography.com/.