Here are 4 chances to marvel at holiday lights this season

Few things may get people into the spirit of this time of year more than bright, colorful displays of holiday lights — be it in their own front yards and neighborhoods or at local community parks.

Luckily, there are a few standout examples of each already set up and ready to check out this year ahead of Christmas and other seasonal events.

2 popular parks offering chance to marvel, celebrate the season

Before local families sat down for Thanksgiving, crews were already at work putting up lights at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron.

Now, Pine Grove’s baseball diamond fence is adorned with giant, glowing snowflakes and green lettering wishing passersby “Seasons greetings” along with an assortment of other displays stationed around the park for walkers to stop and look at.

­­Decorations and lighted winter scenes — often with a maritime or Port Huron theme — are on through Jan. 2 and lit nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. According to the city of Port Huron’s parks and recreation department, there are over 30 displays, and each is created by a local business or organization.

Recreation Supervisor Kati Gardner said new this year is the large, 40-foot Christmas tree on the east side of the park, Previously the tree given to the city from the Acheson Foundation to be lit with Santa Claus following the annual parade downtown, she said it was gifted to parks and rec from downtown.

“We put some work into it, refurbished it, and installed it at Pine Grove,” she said. “So, the tree that people see there is in fact the one that we used to use in downtown for years, and we’re happy to still be able to continue to use that tree.”

The Downtown Development Authority has more recently bought another tree that is now at the corner of Military and Water streets.

Additionally, returning to Pine Grove each weekend through Dec. 23, Gardner said, is concessions for visitors to enjoy while they look at lights.

According to parks and rec, vendor Liquid Gold is running the stand with concessions available to purchase from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

“There’ll be a similar menu to what we did last year, so they’re going to have fresh donuts, hot chocolate, I believe coffee, and then, switching up the smaller snacks every weekend,” she said. “We’re just looking to do something small and warm for people to warm up with.”

The displays are also part of the city’s Winter Celebration at Pine Grove Park, 1204 Pine Grove Ave. Festivities will continue from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16 with a chance to meet Santa and his Elf on the Shelf, and Gardner said a burn-barrel warming station will be available.

“I do believe that Liquid Gold is going to be doing items so that people can roast marshmallows and make s’mores. We have Santa coming out for a visit that Saturday from 5 to 7. We a have an … Elf on the Shelf, which we’re excited about,” she said. “Then, I did get confirmation that Salvation Army band members are going to come out and play some music on that Saturday, as well.”

While lights at Pine Grove Park were originally conceived as a pandemic solution three years ago, Marysville had already been hosting lighted holiday displays at its city park for several years — first through the Marysville Business Council and now through city rec.

Set up for Marysville’s Christmas in the Park began Nov. 20. Judging the displays was slated for Thursday, and those setups will be up until after Jan. 1.

A tree lighting is also slated for 6 p.m. Saturday following the city’s parade. It’s then that, Marysville Mayor Kathy Hayman said, they’ll announce the winners.

“So, there’s a city manager’s recognition, a mayor’s recognition, council, and then, another one. I think there’s four or five different recognitions that will be going out to the displays,” she said. “I’m kind of nervous. It’s always hard. It really is. Because there are some good displays.”

“I ride by there in the morning, early, at like 6:30. The park looks fabulous from Busha (Highway),” Hayman added. “I mean, it’s just absolutely beautiful. So, I cannot wait to get inside the park to see all the displays.”

Other decoration-spotting events on tap

Port Huron museums is offering trolley tours of lights, as well as a candlelight climb of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.

The events began Nov. 25 and continue Fridays and Saturdays until Christmas Eve.

According to the museum, the lighthouse climb and tour of surrounding neighborhoods come with complementary hot chocolate and cookies with two tours a night at 5 and 6:30 p.m.

General admission is $40 and $30 for museum members.

Tickets can be purchased through Evenbrite.

Majestic Heart Carriage Rides is also bringing back tours of holiday lights through the Sherman Woods neighborhood in Port Huron.

Horse-drawn carriage rides aim to bring residents and visitors into Sherman Woods to look at lights, as well as support the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, according to Majestic Heart’s Facebook. In addition to bell righting, there would be the Sherman Woods Chorus and visits from Santa.

Carriage rides last about 20 to 25 minutes. A carriage can seat up to four adults and costs $60.

Rides will be offered from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until Christmas Even. According to Majestic Heart, they’ll be located at Lakeside Park’s parking lot near Spirits Shoppe and at the northeast corner of Gratiot and Holland avenues.

To reserve a ride call (810) 310-0827 from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends. For more information, visit Majestic Heart on Facebook.

This year marks the eighth year that Sherman Woods residents will be bell ringing in their neighborhood. According to a news release, the effort has raised nearly $34,000 since 2016.

The red kettle will be located at the corner of Armour Street and LaSalle Boulevard, and bell ringing will take place between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays before Christmas.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: 'Absolutely beautiful': 4 chances to marvel at holiday lights this season