Downtown Christmas Walk & Community Christmas Tree Lighting Taking Place Friday, December 9

Joey Swanson of Swanson’s Big Red Barn delivering the 2022 Community Christmas Tree

First National Bank & Trust is pleased to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 Downtown Christmas Walk and Community Christmas Tree Lighting, taking place Friday, December 9 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM.  The tree lighting will happen at approximately 6:00 PM, as soon as Santa Claus and the Downtown Christmas Walk foot parade arrives at the First National Bank & Trust downtown outdoor plaza.

This year’s Community Christmas Tree was once again generously donated by Swanson’s Big Red Barn Holiday Events, located in Niagara, and set up and decorated by Bacco Construction.

The Downtown Christmas Walk activities include the Downtown Window Decorating Contest, where participants will be able to vote on their favorite window. Winners of the Window Decorating Contest will receive DDA business mini-grants.  There will also be a live nativity display byBishop Baraga Catholic School at the Downtown System’s Control Stage. The Dickinson County Library will be providing the Story Stroll, in which pages of a winter story will be displayed in various storefronts downtown.  Children who complete the Story Stroll to collect the clues and return to the library with the answer will receive a Christmas gift pack while supplies last. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand at the library for visits and photos from 4:00-5:30 PM.  Registration is required and opens December 2– call the library at (906) 774-1218 to reserve your slot to see Santa. In addition, the Kingsford Jazz Band will play at the library from 4:30-5:30 PM.

“We are so pleased to work with the First National Bank and Trust again this year for the Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting,” said DDA Program Director Mindy Meyers and Kenzie Williamsen, DDA Event Coordinator.  “Thanks to their generous sponsorship we are able to provide a fun treat for the children and bring back the DDA mini grants for the Window Decorating Contest.  We are excited to see what our local downtown businesses come up with and think that the contest is a great way to beautify our downtown over the holidays.  It is so wonderful we are able to gather as a community and enjoy the Christmas spirit together at the walk.  Thank you to the First National Bank & Trust for sponsorship, the Dickinson County Library for hosting Santa and the Story Stroll, and Bishop Baraga Catholic School for providing a live Nativity experience.  We are so lucky to work with such a generous community.”

Following the Downtown Christmas Walk and Community Christmas Tree Lighting, The Northern Michigan Dance Academy & The Dickinson Ballet Company will be presenting The Nutcracker, premiering Friday, December 9th at 7:00 PM at the Braumart Theater.  Tickets and showtimes are available on the website friendsofthebraumart.networkforgood.com.

For more information on the Downtown Christmas Walk, including activities and schedules, visit downtownironmountain.com

This community event is being brought to you by First National Bank & Trust, the Iron Mountain DDA, and Dickinson County Library.