Holly Days to return to downtown Farmington

FARMINGTON — This year has been one of celebration for Farmington, as it is the city’s 200th year of existence.

Although Holly Days is a city tradition that is not specific to Farmington’s bicentennial, this year’s event provides another opportunity for the community to come together in recognition of the milestone, along with enjoying the traditional activities that are a part of Holly Days.

The Holly Days event has occurred on the first Saturday in December for many years, according to this year’s event organizer, Annette Compo. The date for this year’s event is Dec. 7, and a variety of activities are planned.

The Greens, Gifts, and Giving Market will be held 10 a.m.-4p.m. at Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave.

A popular attraction for children is the Holiday Train Ride, which is also scheduled to take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Riley Park.

A Visit with Santa Claus is slated to take place noon-1:30 p.m. at Essential Family Chiropractic, 23334 Farmington Road.

Stories and Crafts with Mrs. Claus will be 1-4 p.m., also at Essential Family Chiropractic.

Photos with Santa Claus, sponsored by Ayar Law, is scheduled for 2-4:30 p.m. at the Farmington Garage, located at 33014 Grand River Ave.

The Light Up The Grand Parade is set to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Grand River Avenue.

Following the parade is the tree lighting at Warner Mansion, located at 33805 Grand River Ave. Compo estimated that the tree lighting could take place around 6:30 p.m. It is sponsored by T-Mobile Fiber.

The Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce has previously hosted Holly Days, but according to Compo, “they decided that it wasn’t in alignment moving forward.”

In her role on the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Compo previously assisted with Holy Days, but this year is her first organizing the event.

“The city of Farmington partnered with me as well as Z Painting, another local business that’s a huge advocate for the community, as well as myself and my team,” said Compo, who is with KW Home Keller Williams and the Compo & Medema Group. “We started to move it forward.”

Compo began organizing the event last summer.

Before it comes to fruition more than 50 volunteers may be involved with helping to pull it off.

There is no charge for community members to attend.

“It’s a very time-consuming event — a lot of activities for one day. However, (it’s) very beloved by our community,” Compo said.

The event can also help create traffic for local retailers.

“It tends to be that first big push after Thanksgiving weekend for sales,” Compo said. “So jumping into this, it’s not (just) impacting the kids and the families, but all of us that live and work in the area.”

Although the city of Farmington is acting as a partner, according to Compo, there is no fee for the city, as her business has made a “financial commitment,” along with Z-Painting & Remodeling and other sponsors.

Events such as Holly Days can have a unique way of bringing community members together.

“We have two cities, but (it) feels like one community,” Compo said. “Holly Days pulls in people from Farmington Hills, as well as activates people in Farmington, and we just all kinda come together, two cities, one community, to celebrate the festivities of the holidays. … I believe bringing in the train four, five years ago, that has now become a pretty big pull. We wanted every kid to have a train ride for Christmas at no cost.”

From Compo’s perspective, more entertainment may be in store for visitors this year, as a new addition includes music and professional lighting at the Governor Warner Mansion.

When Compo spoke about Holly Days at a Farmington City Council meeting Oct. 21, Councilman Steven Schneemann acknowledged the extra touches to this year’s event.

“It’s become one of my favorites,” Scheemann said of Holly Days. “The music’s great, obviously, (and) the lighting is a really good idea too. I look forward to that being a special end to the day.”

Farmington Mayor Pro Tem Johnna Balk shared a similar sentiment when addressing Compo at the City Council meeting.

“It’s really become a favorite,” Balk said of Holly Days. “It’s so fun. … I super appreciate all of the details that you’re putting into it.”

Councilman Kevin Parkins thanked Compo for her role in helping to put Holly Days together.

“I know it’s a lot of time and effort for you to pick up and run with, but it’s appreciated.”

Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa also has a lofty opinion of Holly Days.

“This is the book-end event for the end of the year and, especially, for the bicentennial,” LaRussa said at the City Council meeting. “It means so much to see this happening again. … Bang-up job. Keep it going.”

During the course of organizing the event, the fact that it is Farmington’s bicentennial has not been lost on Compo.

“The bicentennial is a huge celebration for the city of Farmington,” Compo said. “We wanted to continue that message. It was very easy for me to work with the city of Farmington to incorporate that. The bicentennial logo is on all of our marketing.”

Maria Taylor is the council liaison for Farmington’s bicentennial committee. She acknowledged Compo for incorporating the bicentennial into Holly Days at the City Council meeting.

“You’re a great example of ground-up community involvement,” Taylor said. “That is what makes our events fantastic, so thank you for that.”

Although a variety of aspects can draw people to Holly Days, many community members might agree with what Compo cited as her favorite part of it.

“The parade has been really important to me,” she said. “There’s something to be said to see families up on the curb in our community, awaiting the parade to start. That’s kind of the most important part for me.”

For more information, visit downtownfarmington.org/hollydays.