UPDATE: Everything you need to know about Silver Bells

(WILX)
Published: Nov. 12, 2018 at 11:21 AM EST
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It's beginning to look at a lot like Christmas and soon people will be singing carols at the top of their lungs when a holiday tradition returns to Lansing for its 34th year.

Of course, I'm referring to Silver Bells in the City.

Downtown Lansing transforms into a holiday wonderland and the streets get lit up by the 22nd annual Electric Light Parade.

The parade will have 76 illuminated floats and marching bands, including one from the WILX Weather Authority.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. from the corner of South Washington Square and Lenawee Street. It will head north on Washington Square, travel west on Ottawa, and south on Capitol Avenue.

"Leading the way are our grand marshals, the Detroit Lions cheerleaders and mascot, Roary. There's also Detroit Tigers mascot, Paws. He's a special guest in the parade," said Mindy Biladeau, executive director of Downtown Lansing Inc.

After the parade, the lighting of the state Christmas tree commences with caroling in the streets.

"It's a beautiful 62-foot-tall spruce from Alpena. Nearly 10,000 lights are on it so it's going to shine bright," said Biladeau.

However, visitors to the event will not see fireworks this year.

The City of Lansing said it's because of a geothermal field installation taking place on the west side of the Capitol. Organizers say that fireworks will return as part of the event next year.

Check out all of the Silver Bells festivities Friday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 18. here:

Friday, Nov. 16:

• The 22nd Annual Electric Light Parade steps off at 6 p.m.

• Following the parade, the State Christmas Tree will be lit with

a performance by Meagan McNeal and Phil Denny.

• The Silver Bells Village, sponsored by the Lansing State

Journal, located on East Allegan Street between South Washington

Square and Grand Avenue, will feature a variety of vendors selling

novelty toys, baked goods, Michigan-themed items and other

delights.

• The 2018 Silver Bells in the City commemorative ornament is

available for purchase online at silverbellsinthecity.org. The

handcrafted ornament was made by local artist, Tiffany Marie

of La Fille Gallery in Lansing. They will also be sold the night of

the event at the Silver Bells Village and La Fille Gallery. The

cost is $20 each.

• The festival welcomes vocalist John Splithoff, who will be this

year’s headline performer from 8-9 p.m. at the Lansing

Center. The concert is presented by Lake Trust Credit Union.

Returning this year is the Lansing Board of Water & Light Toy

Mill. Bring new unwrapped toys and books to the corner of

Ottawa and North Washington Square starting at 12 p.m. Friday, Nov.

16. All toys will be distributed to children in need through the

Marine Corps’ Toys-for-Tots program.

• Additionally, new books will be collected at the downtown

Capital Area District Libraries branch.

• Come visit with Santa and his reindeer on the riverfront plaza

near the Lansing Center, and enjoy free cider and cookies

(while supplies last).

• Enjoy performances by nearly 50 regional arts and cultural

organizations, school groups, storytellers, theatrical troupes,

hand-bell choirs and many others around downtown.

• Other event entertainment includes free admission and

entertainment at more than 10 downtown arts and cultural

institutions, including self-guided tours of the State Capitol.

• In addition to these festivities, downtown stores and

restaurants will be open late to kick-off holiday shopping and

dining. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and stay late

to take in all that downtown Lansing has to offer.

Saturday, Nov. 17, and Sunday, Nov. 18:

• Brunch with Santa will be offered Saturday, Nov. 17, and

Sunday, Nov. 18, with seating from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your

children for a special brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus at

Troppo. Includes a digital photo with Santa, cookie

decorating, writing letters to Santa and holiday arts and crafts.

Reservations can be made at troppoitailiankitchen.com for $20 each, children 2 and under receive free admission.

• Silver Bells 5K starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. This

chip-timed run/walk supports Silver Bells in the City and the

Chris and Louise Holman Foundation. The Silver Bells 5K is

sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue

Care Network and Dean Trailways and is coordinated by the

Michigan Fitness Foundation. Register for the Silver Bells 5K at

runsignup.com/silverbells.

The downtown area will be full of people enjoying the festivities, taking in the scene, and eating and drinking at local establishments, so get there early to get your best spot along the parade route.

"Silver Bells is a huge economic boost to the economy. People are traveling not only from the Lansing, but from throughout the state and beyond, and staying the night here, patronizing local businesses," said Biladeau.

Free parking is available after 5 p.m. in all city of Lansing-owned lots during the event.

There will be some

street closures

so plan accordingly when heading downtown.

Streets closures in effect between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (actual times may vary): • Capitol Avenue between Ottawa Street and Washtenaw Street, • Michigan Avenue between Washington Square and Capitol Avenue, • Allegan Street between Pine Street and Capitol Avenue, •Walnut Street between Hillsdale Street and Ottawa Street, • Pine Street between Ottawa Street and Allegan Street, • Washtenaw Street between Pine Street and Capitol Avenue, • Kalamazoo Street between Pine Street and Capitol Avenue, • Townsend Street between Lenawee Street and Capitol Avenue, • Lenawee Street between Walnut Street and Capitol Avenue. Lane restrictions will be in effect between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (actual times may vary): • Ottawa Street between Washington Square and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, • Pine Street between Allegan Street and Kalamazoo Street, • Capitol Avenue between Ionia Street and Ottawa Street, • Capitol Avenue between Washtenaw Street and Kalamazoo Street, • Allegan Street between MLK Jr. Boulevard and Pine Street. 5K Route: Start and finish line will be on Capitol Avenue south of Michigan Avenue. The race will travel south on Capitol Avenue to Lenawee Street, west on Lenawee Street to Walnut Street, north on Walnut Street to Kalamazoo Street, east on Kalamazoo Street to Townsend Street, north on Townsend Street to Allegan Street, west on Allegan Street to Walnut Street, south on Walnut Street to Kalamazoo Street, west on Kalamazoo Street to Pine Street, north on Pine Street to Allegan Street, east on Allegan Street to the Ped-walk ramp west of Walnut Street, north on the ramp to the pedestrian walkway, west on the pedestrian walkway to the Butler Boulevard sidewalk south on the sidewalk to Allegan Street west on Allegan Street to the Sidewalk west of MLK Jr. Boulevard, north on the sidewalk to Ottawa Street and east on Ottawa Street to Capitol Avenue and south on Capitol Avenue to the finish/start line.

For traffic alerts for Silver Bells, you can sign up to receive text messages by texting "silverbells" to 888-777.