Shelby Township: 2021 Shelby Township Aglow Expands With DDA Partnership

Press release from Shelby Township:

11/24/2021 7:06 PM

After a virtual Christmas season in 2020, Shelby Township is gearing up to celebrate Christmas 2021 bigger, better and brighter than ever before, thanks to a partnership with the Shelby Township Downtown Development Authority. 

Shelby Township's biggest Christmas event and tradition, the annual Christmas Aglow and tree lighting, sponsored by the Shelby Township DDA, takes place at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 on the township municipal campus at 52700 Van Dyke Ave. New this year will be a 34-foot Christmas tree and an enhanced welcome for Santa Claus as he makes his first stop to greet the township.

"Christmas is always a special time of year in Shelby Township, and it was difficult to enjoy the Aglow without our friends and wishing them a 'Merry Christmas' in person last year," Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. "We were excited to get back to a live Aglow this year, and the DDA approached us about how they could be a part of it."

"The DDA has been discussing ways that we can draw more people into the township and celebrate our community and local businesses," DDA Chairperson Greg Gagnon said. "It’s only natural that we start this with the township’s most prominent holiday event at the Aglow. You will not want to miss the Aglow this year. It is going to be bigger than ever. The township’s Community Relations and Parks, Recreation and Maintenance crews are making this an extraordinary event with more lights and a bigger production.”

“We know people throughout metro Detroit love to drive around and find the biggest and brightest light shows to enjoy the season, so we’re putting Shelby Township on that map with our new tree,” Gagnon added. “Once folks drive in to see the lights, they’ll also see all of the great small businesses we have up and down Van Dyke Ave.”

Before the official lighting of the township Christmas tree, the Aglow features the Eisenhower High School show choir performing carols and the township’s “North Pole Ambassadors," presenting Santa with the key to the township. Photos with Santa Claus will then be available in Hope Chapel until 8:30 p.m.

“Thanks to the hard work of our staff in the Parks, Recreation and Maintenance and the Community Relations departments, we have a tremendous, live Christmas event to showcase our community,” said Township Trustee Lucia Di Cicco who serves on the DDA. “It’s an honor for the DDA to be part of this tradition and make it even more enjoyable for our families.

“Supporting the Aglow is a natural progression for the DDA as it promotes our businesses with community events,” Di Cicco added. “Similar to how the Independence Day Fireworks draw people to the township, we feel the Aglow will do the same.”

In addition to traditional favorites such as hot chocolate, kids crafts at the Kris Kringle Castle, marshmallow roasting and the "Holiday Express" train display, the 2021 Aglow features enhanced Christmas displays with more places for family photos and memories.

After Santa arrives at the Aglow, he stays in the township for several events. The “Breakfast with Santa" at 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at the Shelby Township Activities Center and Dinner and Dancing with Santa at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Cherry Creek Golf Club are sold out.

If they missed him at the Aglow, breakfast or the dinner dance, the last chance for kids to meet Santa is at noon Dec. 19 at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center before he heads back to the North Pole. There is no fee to meet and greet Jolly Old Saint Nick at the nature center.

The nature center at 4101 River Bends Drive is also hosting its popular annual events with the rustic travel back in time Pioneer Christmas at noon Dec. 7 and 8, and the Christmas Bird Count event at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 with the Macomb Audubon Society. For more information on all nature center events, contact the nature center at 586-323-2478.

For more information or to register for all parks and recreation events, contact the Shelby Township Parks and Recreation offices at 586-731-0300. For details on all Shelby Township Christmas programs and events, visit www.shelbytwp.org/Christmas.

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This press release was produced by Shelby Township. The views expressed here are the author’s own.