IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich (WZMQ) – Get ready for Downtown Iron Mountain’s Magical Christmas Walk in 10 days! Coordinator, Kenzie Williamsen, highlights a festive evening ending with the community Christmas tree lighting at First National Bank plaza. As an added touch of warmth, honor society students will collect winter gear this year for kids in need.
These generous donations are destined for the Caringhouse, fostering a sense of community and compassion during the holiday season.
Williamsen informed, “We have some things to give away to kids this year, and honor society students are joining us at First National Bank to collect coats, hats, mittens, gloves, and boots for kids. So they can be gently used or new, and they’re going to be donating those to the Caringhouse, so they’ll be able to give them to kids.”
As Downtown Iron Mountain prepares for the festive celebration set to light up the heart of Iron Mountain, Williamsen shares her excitement, highlighting the activities that are set to unfold during the event.
From 4 until 5:30, kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Dickinson County Library. There will be opportunities for photos. More photo-ops will be close to the main event, as well.
“The Sandstone Terrace right above First National Bank is going to have Holly Selden, up on the terrace to do some holiday Christmas photography. They have a bunch of Christmas trees up, and it just looks magical,” shared Williamsen.
From 5:30 until 6, a foot parade will follow Santa and a firetruck to the First National Bank Plaza, where the annual Community tree, donated by the Big Red Barn in Niagara (Wisconsin), will be lit with the help of Bacco Construction. The foot parade is only about three blocks, and the route has been changed slightly to avoid the Stephenson Avenue Highway.
The Dickinson County community chorus will lend their voices to the festivities, serenading the crowd with classic Christmas carols along the illuminated Ludington street – adorned with bistro lights. Williamsen says any added voices in the chorus are a huge bonus:
“Any song that the carolers are singing, if people are in the parade – the kids or the adults – and want to join in singing, they absolutely can. The carolers stay with us while we wait for Santa to light the tree, they’ll continue singing at the plaza while we all hang out and wait,” she commented.
Foot Parade route: The foot parade heads from the Dickinson County Library, for two blocks up Iron Mountain Street, then heading left down Ludington, to end at the First National Bank Plaza. Williamsen emphasized the inclusive nature of the parade, welcoming everyone to join, even the littlest participants. “We work to get the Dickinson County community chorus with us, so that they’re singing Christmas carols while we do the walk to First National Bank. We also have The bistro lights now on Ludington, which is a really magical feeling to have the lights glistening above the snow underneath you as you hear the carolers, and you walk to the Christmas tree, Santa and the firetruck. So it’s a great moment – even if you don’t have kids. It’s a really awesome opportunity to just get out and do something different in the winter.”
The downtown window decorating contest will add an extra layer of charm, with at least 18 participating businesses vying for top honors and a mini-Grant.
Williamsen expressed gratitude to signature sponsor First National Bank and Trust, and to co-sponsor Radio Results Network for their promotional support, enhancing the reach and impact of the Christmas walk. As the community prepares to gather, the magic of the season is sure to envelop the crowd, creating memories of joy and togetherness under the glistening lights and holiday carols.
For more information about events in the Downtown area of Iron Mountain, visit:
