Christmas in the 'Ville returns Saturday with parade, other activities

Patricia Alvord, Livingston Daily
·3 min read
A line of hot-air balloon baskets with their torches burning light up Grand River Avenue in downtown Fowlerville Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 near the end of the Christmas in the ‘Ville parade.
A line of hot-air balloon baskets with their torches burning light up Grand River Avenue in downtown Fowlerville Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 near the end of the Christmas in the ‘Ville parade.

FOWLERVILLE - Christmas in the 'Ville returns Saturday to downtown with an entire day of festivities starting at 8 a.m.

The annual Christmas celebration, which began in 1990, starts with a hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting) and ends Saturday night with a parade down Grand River Avenue.

Karl Witt, owner of KW Corp., has been chosen as the parade grand marshal. Witt is a member of the Fowlerville Rotary Club, the Christmas in the Ville committee, FBA vice chairman, a library board member and Downtown Development Authority board member.

Witt did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Karl Witt, the Fowlerville Christmas in the 'Ville grand marshal, second from left, is shown Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, with his son Hudson, 5, daughter Morgan, 10 months, wife Megan and daughter Lyndsey, 9.
Karl Witt, the Fowlerville Christmas in the 'Ville grand marshal, second from left, is shown Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, with his son Hudson, 5, daughter Morgan, 10 months, wife Megan and daughter Lyndsey, 9.

Hot-air balloons are slated to take off at 8 a.m. According to the festival's website, in 2010, eight hot-air balloon pilots joined the parade and that number grew to more than 40 participants in 2021. A second balloon launch takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday.

At 6 p.m., the light parade steps off and concludes with a Christmas tree lighting.

Free parking will be provided at Fowlerville Fairgrounds and Fowlerville High School. Free school buses will transport guests between parking locations and either the KW Corp parking lot at the corner of Veterans Drive and Grand River Avenue, and Centennial Park until 7:45 p.m.

Events throughout the morning include a coffee bar starting at 8:30 a.m. at Torch 180, 131 Mill St. At 10 a.m., Breakfast with Saint Nick takes place at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 855 E. Grand River Ave., until noon. At 11 a.m., there will be a soup lunch, cookie walk and Christmas story time at St. John's Lutheran Church, 32 S. Benjamin St. According to organizers, kids can join for story time and receive a free book until 2 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will also be food available, including walking tacos, elephant ears, french fries and more, at Torch 180. The Fowlerville District Library will have a face painting and snowflake craft at 130 S. Grand Ave. until 2 p.m.

Starting at noon, there a pet parade in Centennial Park; First Baptist Church, 214 S. Grand Ave., will have hot drinks, cookies, door prizes, Christmas movies, a train display and more until 6 p.m.

Ray Pluff, left, and David Thompson, both from Fowlerville, talk trains at Thompson's layout displayed in the basement of the First Baptist Church during the Christmas in the 'Ville event Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.
Ray Pluff, left, and David Thompson, both from Fowlerville, talk trains at Thompson's layout displayed in the basement of the First Baptist Church during the Christmas in the 'Ville event Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Starting at 2 p.m., there will be pictures with the Grinch at 130 S. Grand Ave. for $5.

A scavenger hunt starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Forms can be picked up and turned in at Harmon Real Estate, 100 W. Grand River Ave.

There will be hot chocolate and cookies at the Fowlerville Police Department, 213 Grand Ave., until 6 p.m. and a Christmas market tent at 130 S. Grand Ave., until 6 p.m.

Just west of Kodet's hardware, 110 W. Grand River Ave. there will be hay and sleigh rides from 3 to 5 p.m.

Starting at 3 p.m., there will be a chili dinner fundraiser at the fire hall, 200 N. Grand Ave.

From 3 and 5 p.m., and 7 and 8 p.m., Santa will be at the fire station. Attendees should bring their own cameras.

5-year-old Klaryssa Holbrook tells Santa what's on her Christmas list in the Fowlerville Fire Station during Christmas in the Ville Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.
5-year-old Klaryssa Holbrook tells Santa what's on her Christmas list in the Fowlerville Fire Station during Christmas in the Ville Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

At 3:30 p.m., the Dashing Through the Snow 5K run/Walk starts.

From 4 to 6 p.m., The First United Methodist Church will offer a chicken dinner at 201 S. Second St. There will be a block party at 105 W. Grand River Ave. and Showerman's Garage, 115 S. Ann St., parking lot until the end of the parade.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: For the 32nd year, Christmas in the Ville returns to downtown