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.
