From left, Prop Art Studio owner Michael Stapleton, Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Boettcher and GPCC Membership & Event Coordinator Abigail Turnbull check out Santa’s new sleigh as it’s being built.
By: K. Michelle Moran | Grosse Pointe Times | Published November 17, 2023
GROSSE POINTE CITY/FARMS — Here comes Santa Claus — on a brand-new sleigh that will usher him into the Grosse Pointes at the start of the holiday season.
The sleigh was still under construction at press time, but Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Boettcher said the sleigh will make its debut in the 47th annual Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade, which will take place in the Hill and The Village the morning of Nov. 24.
“The Chamber is having a sleigh built just for Santa & Mrs. Claus that will be their mode of transportation for years to come!” Boettcher said in an email interview. “(Detroit-based) Prop Art Studio who built the former sleigh is building this one and it would not be possible without the generous donations from the sponsors and individual donations. We are truly grateful!”
The parade starts at 10 a.m. Nov. 24 at Lewiston Road and Kercheval Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms, making its way a little over a mile to Kercheval and Cadieux Road in Grosse Pointe City. It takes place, as is traditionally the case, the day after Thanksgiving.
Boettcher said Grosse Pointe native Paulina Jayne, a country singer/songwriter who now lives in Nashville, will be riding on one of the floats and performing. Other highlights this year include five floats from The Parade Company, an appearance by the Detroit Pistons Dance Team, performances by Michigan Entertainment & Talent Group, and participation by Detroit Ghostbusters, Golden Retriever Rescue of Michigan, high school marching bands, community groups and more.
“I can’t wait for our Grosse Pointe Thanksgiving/Christmas parade later this month,” Grosse Pointe Farms Mayor Louis Theros said by email. “I truly enjoy seeing so many of our residents, especially our children, out enjoying this event. It is just one of the many events that supports our Hill business district and our Grosse Pointe community. Hope to see you all there!”
The festive fun will continue after the parade. Main Street Grosse Pointe is teaming up with The Little Blue Book — which is celebrating its 75th anniversary — by having a heated tent on St. Clair Avenue at Kercheval that will feature entertainment before the parade — from 9 a.m. until roughly 10:30 a.m., when the parade makes its way into The Village. Then, once the parade is over, from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., activities will resume, including visits with Santa. Qualified restaurants and bars will be serving alcohol that shoppers can enjoy inside or in select areas outside as part of the social district, which will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 24.
Starting Thanksgiving weekend and continuing throughout the holidays, more than 50 local businesses will have decorated snow globes in their windows as part of a new GPCC program, Boettcher said. She said maps showing all the snow globe locations can be picked up from the GPCC’s office — located in the Hill district on Kercheval — or viewed online on the chamber’s website. GPCC officials hope residents will seek out the snow globe sites while they’re out and about.
“This initiative is to encourage the community to shop, dine and play locally,” Boettcher said.
The parade will be preceded by the Grosse Pointe Lions Club’s 24th annual Jingle Bell Family Fun 2.2-mile Walk/Run, which will start at 9 a.m. on the parade route. Registration and packet pickup will start at 8 a.m. that morning. For more information or to register for the run/walk, visit the Grosse Pointe Lions Club Facebook page.
Thousands are again expected to line the parade route.
“The parade brings the community together and unites us in a celebration kicking off the holiday season,” Boettcher said.
At press time, donations were still being sought to offset the cost of the new sleigh and the parade. For more information or to make a donation to the Grosse Pointe Chamber Foundation, contact the GPCC at (313) 881-4722 or visit grossepointechamber.com.