Marquette Township, Michigan – November 24, 2020 – After talking about it all day on Sunny 101.9, the Christmas Spirit swept through Marquette Township tonight as we celebrated with the annual “Catch the Christmas Spirit” Tree Lighting Ceremony.
To avoid canceling Christmas, Marquette Charter Township, The Marquette Township Business Association, and mediaBrew Communications worked hard to alter the usual festivities to follow Michigan Department of Health & Human Services guidelines for social distancing.
As usual, the big stage was set up in the Westwood Mall parking lot and Mark and Walt started things off with a big “Welcome” and some “Thank Yous”. The guys spoke with Township Manager Jon Kangas and Christmas Music from 106.1 The Sound played through the speakers!
Guests listened from their vehicles tuning into 106.1 The Sound to hear some Christmas Sound Classics before Linda Smith took over for a live performance on the stage!
That sneaky Grinch tried to steal Christmas, but the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department was on site to save the day. They tied the Grinch up and hauled him off to jail for “Crimes Against Christmas”!
Shortly after, Santa made his grand entrance on a Township Firetruck, arriving to spread the holiday cheer and light our massive tree! After a countdown, Santa flipped the switch and the lights on our Christmas tree flickered to life, shining brightly in the dark.
Visitors rolled down their windows to sing along and once it was their turn, crowds of 25 were allowed to get out and go see Santa! Kids ran up to give their Christmas Lists to Ol’ Saint Nick, snap a picture, and grab some candy donated by Jet’s Pizza!
Thanks to Andra Ziems, Secretary & Cashier at Marquette Township for donating the tree. Also thank you to the following sponsors for helping make this event possible: mediaBrew Communications, Sunny 101.9, 106.1 The Sound, Marquette Charter Township, Marquette Township Business Association, North Country Tree Care, Super One Foods, The Lions, Westwood Mall, the Marquette Township Fire Department, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, Jet’s Pizza, and Honor Credit Union.
See Photos From Tonight
Santa's lookin good with his mask!
What a beautiful tree!
Thanks to Santa for lighting the tree!
Santa Clause has the honor of lighting the Christmas Tree!
Santa makes his way to the stage.
The Sheriff has arrived to take the Grinch away!
The Sheriff finally cuts the Grinch's mischief short.
The Grinch has taken over!
Uh oh... what's he up to?!
Waiting for the man of the hour to make an appearance
The Sheriff's department is on sight for any shenanigans that might happen
There was a good turn out this year
People practiced social distancing by wearing masks and staying in their cars.
The big switch to turn on the Christmas lights.
The stage is set for a fun night!
Santa gave out candy canes!
Santa Clause has come to town!
Kids came out to give their wish lists to Santa
Even Santa wore a mask!
What a pretty tree!
Kids came just to see the man himself, Santa!
Some kids were more shy than others.
He'll check your list twice!
Santa's at the ready to take all the kids' wishlists and give them candy canes!
The tree is all lit! Drive by the Westwood Mall in Marquette to see it.
Santa has arrived!!
The big man himself made it to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The fire department has arrived with Santa!
Mark, Walt, and Todd held down the fort.
Mark and Walt and Todd ran the show
The sheriff took the Grinch away!
Don't let the Grinch steal the show!
Oh boy, he's made it on stage!
The snow wasn't enough to stop people from coming to the Ceremony!
Linda Smith came to sing some Christmas Classics.
There was a great turn out tonight!
Mark and Walt started the show!
