Jingle Mingle to bring holiday cheer

ST. CLAIR SHORES — On Dec. 7, the St. Clair Shores 9-Mack Merchants Association will again host the downtown Jingle Mingle filled with holiday cheer and fun activities.

Angela Washington, account coordinator and relator at Rondo Realty, said the event starts at noon and ends at 6 p.m. The downtown area is located along Greater Mack Avenue from Nine Mile Road south to the Nine Mack Drive and Cavalier Drive intersection. The road will be closed for the day.

“All the local businesses in the Nine Mack Merchant’s Association will be having their own little special things going,” Washington said.

A few things she listed included a hot chocolate making station, the Grinch, Santa Claus, and a DJ at Rondo Realty.

Gina Fuga, owner of Greater Chiropractic, said at her business, they will have visits with Anna and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen,” as well as crafts for the children. The activities at the chiropractic office will precede a movie at 4 p.m.

“And free popcorn with the movie. It’s going to be right in the street,” Washington said.

The movie has not been decided, but it will have a holiday theme.

Inflatables, heaters and tents with seating will also be provided at the event.

“The goal is to kind of bring a big outdoor community event just to get people in the streets and kind of jingling and mingling,” Fuga said.

St. Clair Shores Stone and Tile will host a friendship bracelet making station. Eventgoers can bring a canned good for the Gleaners donation box or make a monetary donation and can get a ticket to make a bracelet.

“It doesn’t have to be anything huge, but just trying to get some food and stuff for donations,” Washington said.

Fuga said the boxes are now available at Rondo Realty, Philly’s Cheesesteaks and Greater Chiropractic.

“They’re here now and they’ll be here the day of,” Fuga said. “I think the final day is (the day of) Jingle Mingle, too, for the food donation.”

The first 100 people who attend the event will get a free St. Clair Shores ornament sponsored by Strong Roots Chiropractic. A contest will also be available with three prizes. To participate, dress in your holiday best.

“So you could be dressed as Santa Claus, you could just have a holiday sweater on, you could have reindeer antlers, anything. You’ll get a ticket to be put in for the raffle,” Washington said. “We’re doing the drawing around 4 p.m., I think just before the movie starts, so we want people to come as festive as they can.”

There will also be performances by the Casali School of Dance and carolers.

This event is a revival of events held in the past. It was started last year in its current form with help and coordination of Anna Casali, studio owner at Casali School of Dance, Sasha Murphy, the Downtown St. Clair Shores social media coordinator, and others.

“The goal is to make it more of (an event) where people come and hang out for the day instead of just like a shopping day,” Fuga said.

She also said they’re trying to make it a yearly thing.

“Bring the whole family, too,” Washington said.

Jingle Mingle is not a social district event and open alcohol is not permitted.

“Everyone can feel free to grab a drink at the local bars and restaurants,” Washington said.

After that, Washington said, folks can do some shopping and enjoy the other activities.

“Otherwise, just have fun,” Washington said.