Christmas Aglow brightens up Clinton Township

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Santa was in attendance as Clinton Township got in the holiday spirit with its annual Christmas Aglow celebration Dec. 7.

The big man in red was dropped off by a fire truck and made his way down a lighted path to the gazebo just south of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library. Attendees gathered around as Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem gave Santa a key to the city in order to make his deliveries a bit easier. A countdown started after the speech and, true to the event’s name, the grounds lit up with a holiday glow.

Following the ceremony, Christmas merrymakers made their way to the township’s senior center for hot chocolate. Kids also were able to put in their requests for Santa.

“I know families enjoy that opportunity to see Santa,” Gieleghem said. “Santa did a great job.”

“For a lot of families that’s their picture with Santa every year,” Clinton Township Recreation Director Brian Kay said. “They come to our event for their Santa experience, and we can’t thank them enough for that.”

Nonperishable items were collected at the event to assist those in need in the township. Kay said about 250-300 items were collected this year, which was slightly down from previous years. He said the weather may have played a role in the dip.

“The event was really cold and windy,” Kay said. “I think it deterred some families from coming out.”

The event featured trivia stations where attendees could test their Christmas movie knowledge. A bonfire pit provided a place to warm up. Kids competed in “reindeer games,” such as a ring toss and an obstacle course, for prizes. Local dance troupes also performed at the event.

New to Christmas Aglow was music from a guitarist and harmonica player singing Christmas carols. A 10-foot animatronic Bumble, the abominable snowman from the 1964 stop-motion movie “Rudolph,” had a motion sensor that made the character laugh when attendees passed by.

“That seemed to be a hit with families for photo ops,” Kay said.

Attendees were given ornaments featuring township mascot CT Rex to commemorate attending the event.

Genisys Credit Union partnered with the township on the event and Fern Hill Golf Club helps out with the hot chocolate production.

“I thought it was a great event,” Gieleghem said. “For me it was my first time handing the key off to Santa, which was quite an honor.”

“As a brand-new supervisor, it’s great to see families coming together to celebrate the holidays with the township and see the work of our DPS making their township Civic Center a great place to gather,” Gieleghem added.

The township’s light display near the gazebo will stay up until after Christmas.

“It’s just peaceful at night to have a walk and enjoy the scenery and the festivities,” Kay said.