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Winter Glow to Bring Seasonal Fun to Downtown East Lansing
The popular, annual Winter Glow event – East Lansing’s free, outdoor winter festival – will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2-5 p.m. in downtown East Lansing. The majority of activities are free.
This winter-inspired tradition will feature a wide variety of fun-filled seasonal activities located in Ann Street Plaza, Fountain Square and inside the East Lansing Marriott, 300 M.A.C. Ave. The outdoor spaces are adjacent to the Albert-M.A.C. intersection.
Winter-Inspired Activities
This year’s Winter Glow will feature ice carving, horse and carriage rides, a special outdoor holiday farmers market, a heated music tent, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus (3-6 p.m. inside the Marriott), family-friendly activities and games, winter photo scenes, marshmallow roasting, merchant activities, roasted nuts, a community art project and donation-based hot chocolate with the East Lansing Art Festival and much more.
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will take place inside the East Lansing Marriott from 3-6 p.m. Thanks to a sponsorship from Newman Lofts, families will receive one free photo with Santa. Additional photos can be purchased for $5.
Outdoor Holiday Farmers Market
A special outdoor holiday farmers market will feature many of the popular East Lansing Farmers Market vendors. Participating vendors will include Nut Brothers, Civil Ferments, Jenny’s Sweets & Treats, Steffey Farm/Para Para Creamery, Guiding Light Garlic Farm, Where the Wild Things Bloom, Sapo de Solis and Droscha Sugarbush.
Jingle Jam Music Tent
The Jingle Jam Music Tent will feature live music by the Sea Cruisers from 2-5 p.m. There will also be special appearances by Sigh Studio of Music.
Green Friday (& Saturday too!)
Community members are encouraged to support local businesses, while taking advantage of some great sales/specials during downtown East Lansing’s Green Friday shopping event, taking place Dec. 6-7. Hours will vary among participating businesses. The Saturday sales take place in conjunction with the Winter Glow each year. Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/GreenFriday to learn more.
Program Guides
A Winter Glow and Green Friday program guide will be available at the festival information booth in Fountain Square, located at the corner of M.A.C. and Albert avenues. Program guides will also be available at participating downtown East Lansing businesses.
Free Parking
Parking will be free in downtown East Lansing’s gated lots and garages on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2-6 p.m. for the event. Parking validation will also be provided to businesses participating in the Green Friday sales to hand out to customers during the two-day shopping event (while supplies last).
The Winter Glow is produced by the City of East Lansing and is sponsored by the East Lansing Downtown Management Board, Newman Lofts and the MSU Federal Credit Union. Additionally, in-kind support is provided by the East Lansing Marriott and the East Lansing Public Library.
4th-6th Grade Girls Volleyball Clinic
The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts (ELPRA) will be offering a volleyball clinic to girls in grades 4-6. Participants of the clinic will learn the fundamentals of the sport, basic skills and game strategies. This six-week program will begin Jan. 14 and will take place on Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at MacDonald Middle School.
Participants that register before January 10, 2020 will pay a discounted registration fee of $54. The fee will increase to $69 when participants register after that date. For more information or to register, contact the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC) at (517) 333-2580, ext. 6551 or visit https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/902/Sports-Youth-Adult to download a registration form.
Learn the Basics at Buddy Basketball
ELPRA is excited to offer Buddy Basketball; a program designed for youth, ages 5-7, that introduces them to the sport of basketball.
Participants of this program will be paired with a "buddy" and will work on basic basketball handling skills and motor skill development. Additionally, each 50-minute session will include drills, activities and scrimmaging.
Buddy Basketball will be offered Jan. 11-Feb. 1 and Feb. 8-29. Sessions will take place at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. The early-bird registration deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 13 for the program beginning Jan. 11. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.cityofeastlansing.com/sports. All participants will receive a Buddy Basketball t-shirt. For more information, call the ELHCC at (517) 333-2580, ext. 6551.
Lifeguard and CPR Classes Now Offered
ELPRA is excited to offer a lifeguarding and First Aid/CPR class in 2020. Upon completion, participants of the class will receive a certificate from the American Red Cross in lifeguarding or First Aid/CPR, which is good for two years.
The lifeguarding class will be held on Sundays from 4-8 p.m. beginning Jan. 26. The class will end on March 22 and there will be no class on Feb. 16 and March 1. Participants are required to attend all of the classes in order to pass the course. The First Aid/CPR class will be held on Sunday, Feb. 2 from 3-8 p.m.
Winter/Spring Connect Magazine Arriving this Month
Community members can expect to receive the ELPRA 2020 winter/spring Connect magazine in their mailboxes later this month. The Connect magazine will have information about several upcoming events, including the Sweetheart Dance, Children's Concert Series and East Lansing Art Festival.
Readers will also be able to browse through a variety of classes, programs and activities provided by ELPRA, including art classes, land or water fitness classes and upcoming All-of-us Express Children's Theatre productions.
Community members who do not receive a copy of the Connect magazine can request to receive one in the mail by calling the ELHCC at (517) 333-2580, ext. 0. After Dec. 16, the magazine will be available to download at www.cityofeastlansing.com/classes. Hard copies will also be available at the ELHCC, 819 Abbot Road.
Give the Gift of Fitness!
With the holiday season approaching, community members are encouraged to give the gift of fitness! Gift certificates to a fitness class are the perfect gift for a friend or family member who wants to live a healthier lifestyle and start working out.
Thanks to the ELHCC, giving the gift of fitness is easy! The ELHCC offers personal training package gift certificates, which are the perfect motivator for those wanting to learn new skills and make wellness changes. Gift certificates can also be customized, so the recipient can choose what fitness class to participate in. Gift certificates are good for one year and are available for a variety of classes, including yoga, swim, dance and more.
For more information, contact the ELHCC at (517) 333-2580, ext. 6551.
