Come visit the new Christmas Village display in Croswell

CROSWELL - People won't have to travel all the way to Bronner's to see a large Christmas Village display thanks to a new installation in Croswell.

Robin's Christmas Corner was curated and built by Croswell residents Robin and Steve Moody. Each individual tree, house and person in the village adds up to over 8,000 pieces. The Moodys collected all of the pieces over eight years. Robin Moody said it took them about 150 hours to set up the village.

"I love that every time someone has come in here, they leave smiling," Robin Moody said. "It's a lot of work to set up, but a Christmas Village is also very peaceful."

Robin's Christmas Corner is located on the lower level of Croswell Masonic Lodge #469, located at 80 North Howard Ave.

The village features different scenes such Ebenizer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas, people caroling, a farm, Santa with his reindeer and so much more.

Admission to view the village is free. The village is open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition to the village, people can enjoy some popcorn, coffee, Christmas photos and other holiday decor. Throughout the holiday season, Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves and even the Grinch will make appearances at Robin's Christmas Corner.

These events will be announced to the Robin's Christmas Corner Facebook page.

The original pieces of the Moody Christmas Village were owned by Nelda Moody. Eight years ago, John Moody, Robin Moody's brother-in-law, gifted it to her and her husband Steve Moody. Over the years, Robin and Steve Moody kept collecting more and more pieces.

Eventually, the collection became the more than 8,000-piece display in downtown Croswell.

"Majority of the pieces are Department 56 collectables," Robin Moody said. "But basically, if we like the piece, we'll get it."

The Moodys said they have received great support from the Croswell community. They've gotten many supplies from Westbrooks True Value Hardware, and the tables and chairs were loaned to them by their friend Katie Barrett.

Additionally, the Moodys said Greg Brown, owner of Brown Builders and Contracting, built a wheelchair ramp for the entrance to make the village more accessible.

"It's just one of those situations where you see a small town relying on each other," Robin Moody said.

The Moodys want to give additional thanks to the Croswell Masonic Lodge for letting them use the lower level of the building for the Christmas Village display. Robin's Christmas Corner will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 3 in conjunction with a pancake breakfast event with the Croswell Mason Lodge.

The Moodys said the reaction to the village has been amazing. Steve Moody said he's seen people come in multiple times since it opened.

"We've had people all the way from White Lake and St. Clair Shores come in," he said. "Some people spend 10 minutes in here and had others stay up to two hours."

The Moodys said the best part is hearing the stories people have about their own Christmas villages. People have told them about village pieces passed down through their families and the nostalgia associated with them.

Robin's Christmas Corner will remain open through the first weekend of January.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Croswell Christmas Village open to public