Holly Dickens Festival Starts with Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 26 2017)

Holly, MI – Downtown Holly was full of lights and stars Friday evening for the annual lighted parade and tree lighting ceremony. After floats, cars and marchers decorated with holiday sparkles made their way up Saginaw Street, the village honored stars in the community with a brief awards ceremony before turning on the lights to a gigantic tree.

The McKenna Family was awarded Family of the Year.  Mike, Sarah and their daughters Pollyanna and Mabel graced the stage, with Pollyanna wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas.”  Holly Township Supervisor George Kullis said of the family, “One of the things that keeps our festivals going is volunteerism and we have to teach our kids to volunteer.And these young ladies… have grown up volunteering and it’s a wonderful thing that Holly has this family.”

The individual of the year was Terry Connell who volunteers many tech-savvy services to keep the community connected, including lights and sound for festivals, livestreaming of Village meetings, and running the local Facebook group This Week in NW Oakland County.

Inspirations Arts and Crafts, along with proprietor Laura Legant, won for Business of the Year, being honored for many contributions including taking part in events, hosting paining parties and even a murder mystery fundraiser.

Organization of the Year went to the Women of the Moose, who were recognized for their work putting out flower pots through Downtown and volunteering for events like the Teen Block Party and Project Graduation.

Santa Claus was also honored with Holly Chamber of Commerce Interim Director Richard Kinnamon handed him a giant golden key.  It was not the key to the Village, he said, but “the key to our hearts.”

The tree lighting and lighted parade kick off the Holly Dickens Festival which runs three weekends in Downtown Holly.  Learn more about the Victorian-themed celebration at www.hollydickensfestival.org.

For more local events check out http://oaklandcounty115.com/events/