The Holiday Magic was Unleashed tonight in Downtown Flint. I venture to say nearly 3,000 came out for the first ever Flint Holiday Festival. It was a sight to behold. The event sponsored by the City of Flint and the Downtown Development Authority, exceeded expectations.
400 to 500 people gathered at Flint City Hall for the festivities that began at 5:30p.m. There was a pre-glow sponsored by Tim Hortons inside of city hall with coffee, hot cocoa, and donuts. Just before 6:00 p.m. the program began. Katie O'Mara and Sam Merrill from WNEM TV-5 were the emcees. There was wonderful singing by the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir and Pastor Seon Thompson and the Sanctuary Choir from Refuge Temple. Vida Fisher, from the Blue Light Tree Project spoke on the importance of remembering our fallen law enforcement officers during the holiday season. She and her husband donated the blue lights for a tree at city hall. Pastor Robert Wright, from Court Street United Methodist church gave a wonderful prayer and Pastor Jerry Givens from Prayer Garden COGIC did a reading. Just before 6:20 the Mayor was joined by Santa Clause for the official holiday lights.
Following the lighting ceremony the parade began to Kearsley and Saginaw Streets. There was more excitement there with choirs, bands, people, ice carvings and of course Santa.
A special thanks goes out to all of the wonderful sponsors who saw the potential for an event like this and jumped on board early to be a part of the magic. Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Michigan, Health Plus of Michigan, The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, Gazall, Lewis Architects INC, Tim Hortons, Flint Area Visitor and Convention Bureau and so many others.
We also had great participation from the Flint Community Schools and so many community organizations.
I can't wait for Flint Holiday Festival 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment