TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT turns out big numbers for holiday kickoff in Heritage Park

There was tremendous participation from the Taylor Schools as the community kicked off the holiday season last weekend at Heritage Park.

The City of Taylor, Downriver Fish & Loaves Food Pantry and the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens hosted the first “Taylor Winter Festival Christmas Kickoff” on November 28.

Key highlights were a huge parade, the City's official tree lighting, the grand opening of Santa's Magic Forest and nighttime bonfire and tree lighting at the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

The fun started with “The Christmas Parade” along the ring road inside Heritage Park. It featured Fire and Police vehicles, including the Taylor Fire Department’s newest fire engine, complete with Chief Stephen Portis inside.

The Taylor Police motorcycle division led off the parade and Police Chief Mary Sclabassi brought up the rear in a Taylor Chevy, complete with elves and Santa Claus.

In between were a bevy of units. A big hit were “Frozen Characters” Elsa, Anna and Olaf from Carey Ann’s Clown Caravan. The Culver’s and Liberty Tax mascots were included, along with members of Taylor Dance, Belle Tire hockey, Taylor Little League baseball, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Taylor On Watch, among others.

Miss USA Michigan Da’Stanza Murphy attended, as did the Miss Downriver Teens, Taylor Robotics, Taylor Soccer and a large number of various cheerleading and student groups from the Taylor high schools and middle schools. The DECA Club had a huge presence.

The parade made its way to “The Sheridan Center Tree Lighting." Champions Before and After School Program, which operates in the majority of the Taylor elementary schools, had representatives at the Sheridan entranceway, handing out literature along with candy canes from Target, animal crackers from Meijer, coloring pages and crayons from Texas Roadhouse and 2016 watershed calendars, courtesy of the City.

Thanks to a $25,000 donation from Realty Transition LLC, the City of Taylor's "official" Christmas tree was installed in the open-air pavilion. Realty Transition is running the tax-foreclosed home acquisition and rehabilitation program in the City of Taylor.

The huge tree, which crowded the ceiling in the Sheridan Center, includes a blue hue for Taylor’s police force. That blue also is featured along the walk leading to the center, as well as on the facade of the building.

"We wanted to do that to recognize the efforts of our local law enforcement officers," Mayor Rick Sollars said. "We all understand that across our nation, they have been in the spotlight recently. But we respect and support their efforts to keep us all safe."

One of the goals that the City and the school district have accomplished over the past year was the creation of the police liaison program. Three officers – Rosanna Hopper, Frank Canning and Paul O’Connor – make up the unit that works inside the school district.

Entertainment in the Sheridan Center was provided by Taylor Community Chorus. Ice sculptures from Henry Ford Community College adorned the stage area and the event offered tons of giveaways – including carriage rides around park and hot chocolate and coffee from Biggby Coffee on Goddard and Pardee.

Mayor Sollars, Downriver Fish & Loaves Food Pantry Executive Director Karen Salomone and Fish & Loaves President Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas greeted Santa with the "Key to the City” and coordinated the official first lighting of the tree.

Afterward, the crowd marched next door to the Activities Building for the “Grand Opening of Santa’s Magic Forest," Downriver's finest indoor Christmas display. Santa's Magic Forrest is open at the Activities Building on weekends through December 22.

The evening wrapped up with a 6 p.m. “Bonfire and Tree Lighting” at the Taylor Conservatory, where spectators enjoyed refreshments and snacks and the warmth of the bonfire.

Officials from the City of Taylor, Downriver Fish & Loaves Food Pantry and the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens hope this event will be the start of an ever-expanding kickoff celebration of the Holiday Season.

Fish & Loaves is the sponsor and beneficiary of Santa’s Magic Forest. It is a 501(c)3, client-choice, food pantry, “Ensuring No One Goes Hungry” in the communities they serve.

It is a faith based, non-sectarian organization staffed by volunteers serving those in need regardless of religious beliefs. Located in a 12,000 square-foot facility, the pantry currently serves residents of seven adjacent communities--Allen Park, Brownstown Township, Dearborn Heights, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, and Woodhaven.

The Taylor Conservatory Foundation is also a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is creating beautiful public spaces, promoting the arts and sciences, and preserving the natural environment by promoting positive community outcomes with its programs designed for a multitude of social, educational, and environmental needs.