By Sarah Cormier
C & G Staff Writer

MOUNT CLEMENS — It seems as though very few local municipalities get into the holiday season — particularly the Christmas holiday — more than Mount Clemens.

The fun and festivities taking place in The Clem start off beginning on Nov. 21, with the Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority hosting the 18th annual Christmas Open House.

Several activities will take place in downtown Mount Clemens that day, starting with a children’s choir opening up the festivities at 5 p.m. at the Fountain Stage, which is located on Macomb Place, between Walnut and Pine streets. Santa Claus will then arrive at 6 p.m. At that time, Mayor Barb Dempsey will present Santa with a key to the city and all Christmas decorations in the city will be lit simultaneously. The crowd will also sing Christmas carols. Santa will then take free pictures with any interested child from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Attendees must make an appointment to have a photo with Santa, allowing them to visit many local businesses putting on fun events either before or after their photo session. Events taking place at some of the local businesses include everything from creating candy bars at Champagne Chocolates to making a Christmas card for troops overseas at Seeburger’s Cheeseburger. Many local retailers will also have discounts and prizes.

In addition, there will be free horse-drawn trolley rides through downtown from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Boarding for the rides will be at the northwest corner of Macomb Place and North Walnut Street. 

“We really think this is a great opportunity for families to come out and have a fun kickoff to the holiday season,” said Arthur Mullen, director for the DDA.

Then, exactly a week later, on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, the 33rd Annual Santa Parade will take place.

The parade, which will begin at 10 a.m., will go down Main Street, beginning at Church Street and ending at Market Street.

 Dempsey, who puts together the event, said that there have been about 100 entries for people looking to participate in the parade. Some of those include local bands from Utica High School, Mount Clemens High School, Roseville Jr. High School and St. Luke Lutheran School. The grand marshal will be Glen Haege, who does the Handyman Show on WJR Radio. Bob the Builder, and of course, Santa, will also be in attendance for the little ones.

“[I’m] looking forward to a great parade,” said Dempsey, who said it was important to keep the “tradition” of the parade going.

New to this year’s parade festivities is a coloring contest for children in kindergarten through sixth-grade, who can color a picture of Santa, which will be put on display at the Anton Art Center for a week before and after the parade. Of those who submit  their work, names will be drawn and those lucky children will be able to participate in the parade.

Also new this year is a Web site to better advertise the event. On the Web site, children interested in participating in the coloring contest can download the picture of Santa they can color. Also, volunteers and sponsors — which are still needed for the event — can apply on the Web site.

“Every year we want to add something different … to keep the momentum going,” said Dempsey, adding, “We just thought we’d start looking at it and see how we could draw some more attention to it.”

Dempsey said that many local companies have come together to sponsor the event, with DuPont being the presenting sponsor.

Dave Springer is on the committee to help put the parade together and is also in charge of making a float for Santa to ride in this year. He said he gets involved in the event because he likes seeing how excited the children get.

“I’m involved in a lot, but I think mostly to see the kids’ faces light up when they see a marching band for the first time or a colorful float, or Santa at the very end,” he said.

Also taking place in Mount Clemens this holiday season is Christmas Market 2008, the 30th annual show of holiday-themed art, which will occur from Nov. 21 to Dec. 21 at the Anton Art Center.

Dempsey said that having activities for families to participate in is needed now more than ever before.

“It’s important in this economy to have something people can look forward to,” she said.

For more information on the Christmas Open House, visit www.downtownmountclemens.com or call the DDA at (586) 469-4168.

For more information on the Santa Parade or to volunteer, visit the new Web site at www.paradeonmain.com or call the city at (586) 469-6818, ext. 317.

For more information on Christmas Market 2008, visit www.theartcenter.org or call (586) 469-8666.

You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Cormier at scormier@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1095.