Source: LEPFA
LANSING, Mich. — It’s that time of year when Downtown Lansing’s city sidewalks turn into busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style for the 40th annual Silver Bells in the City celebration.
First held in 1984, Silver Bells in the City has transcended modest beginnings to become a touchstone holiday event which annually attracts more than 40,000 to Michigan’s capital city on the Friday before Thanksgiving. Presented by the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing, this year’s bash falls on Friday, Nov. 22, running from 5 to 9 p.m.
The signature Electric Light Parade has anchored Silver Bells since 1997. This year’s parade steps off at 6 p.m. from the corner of Lenawee Street and South Washington Square. The parade features more than 70 entries decked out with thousands of lights. Entries include 11 high school marching bands, horse-drawn dignitary carriages, Santa Claus atop his sleigh and more!
Attendees can add to the electric spectacle with commemorative LED wristbands. Event staff located by downtown parking areas on Michigan Avenue and South Washington Square will distribute 10,000 wristbands on a first come, first served basis ahead of the parade. The Silver Bells ornament booth in the Silver Bells Village is another distribution point. The LED wristbands are compliments of the Lansing Board of Water and Light, LAFCU, General Motors, CATA and the Lansing Center. The wristbands synchronize with the night’s musical performances.
Following the parade, the festivities continue with the annual state Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the capitol building. Dignitaries will flip the switch that sets it aglow at approximately 7:30 p.m. This year’s state tree is a gorgeous 60-foot-tall spruce donated by Eagle, Mich. residents Rich and Dorcas Albertson. The spruce arrives downtown on Nov. 2.
After the community sing performance, a pair of skyward spectacles will light up the night further. First, 200 drones perform a Firefly Drone Light Show synchronized to music. After that, a stunning firework display over the capitol serves as the evening’s grand finale.
The footprint of the Silver Bells Village has been expanded for this year’s event and is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping, get some refreshments and purchase a Silver Bells commemorative ornament. The village will feature 30 vendors and seven food trailers/trucks. It is located on the 100 block of East Allegan St., between South Washington Square and Grand Avenue.
The 40th-anniversary commemorative ornaments are proudly handcrafted in Lansing by
artist Tiffany Marie of La Fille Gallery. These ruby-anniversary-inspired ornaments can be purchased online at www.silverbellsinthecity.org for $28 each.
Silver Bells partners with the Mid-Michigan Autism Association to help families who need a more sensory friendly experience enjoy the event to the fullest. The Silver Bells website features tips on how to prepare for the event. In addition, headphones, earplugs, fidget spinners, sunglasses and sensory maps are available, while supplies last, at the Mid-Michigan Autism Association booth in the Silver Bells Village.
For those unable to attend in person, FOX 47 broadcasts the Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade live from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The broadcast also airs locally at the same time on Comcast Channel 12 courtesy of the Lansing Public Media Center.
Friday’s fun gives way to the Silver Bells 5K race, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Participants can run or walk the marked course in downtown Lansing. All finishers receive medals, a long-sleeve tee and a commemorative bib. There is also a costume contest and awards for top age group finishers. Register for the Silver Bells 5K Race at www.runsignup.com/silverbells.
Silver Bells in the City is coordinated by the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority and several volunteers.
Silver Bells in the City is possible because of its amazing sponsors, including:
- Presenting Sponsors: Lansing Board of Water and Light; City of Lansing
- Electric Light Parade Sponsor: IBEW Local 665/NECA Lansing
- Community Sing Sponsor: Choose Lansing
- Christmas Tree Lighting Sponsor: Granger Waste Services
- Fireworks Sponsor: LaFontaine Automotive Group
- Drone Light Sponsor: Lansing Board of Water and Light
- Broadcast Sponsors: Capital Steel & Wire; Delta Dental; Mercantile Bank; Tripp’s Collision
- Media Partners: FOX 47 WSYM TV; Lansing Public Media Center; Lansing State Journal; Q106 FM
- Gold Bell Sponsors: Adams Outdoor Advertising; Arts Council of Greater Lansing; Capital Area Transit Authority; Ciesa; General Motors; Ingham County; Lansing Automakers Federal Credit Union; Lansing Center; M3 Group; U of M Health Sparrow
- Bronze Bell Sponsors: 99.1 WFMK; City Pulse; Foster Swift Collins & Smith; MSU Federal Credit Union; MSU Health Care; Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation
- Brass Bell Sponsors: 1800PitClean; Auto-Owners Insurance; BRD Printing; Comerica Bank; Drain Man; EDGE; Effectv; Eyde Development; Friedland Industries Inc.; Hager Fox Heating & Air Conditioning; Hi-Ball Co.; Lansing Community College; Manitou Pontoon Boats; Marshall Music; Michigan Association of Counties; Michigan First Credit Union; Northside Towing; 101.7 Mike FM; MWC; Paramount Coffee; Power 96.5; Redinger Steel; State News; Volunteers of America Thrift Store
- Jingle Bell Sponsors: Capital City Market; Capital Region International Airport; Delux Tents & Events; Dewpoint; Dickinson Wright PLLC; Gillespie Group; Lansing Economic Area Partnership; McLaren Greater Lansing; Media Advantage; Michigan Department of Technology Management & Budget; Michigan Retailers Association; Pro-Soil Site Services Inc.; Sound EFX; Summit Electrical Contractors; Zang-Bodis Orthodontics
- Sleigh Bell Sponsors: Michigan State Capitol Commission; Sohn Linen
- Silver Bells 5k Presenting Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan
- Silver Bells 5k Supporting Sponsors: AF Group; Dean; Metronet; Planet Fitness
For more information, visit www.silverbellsinthecity.org or follow us on social media at:
