Canton Annual Tree Lighting This Week

Canton Leisure Services' 35th Annual Tree Lighting kicks off the township's holiday season with music, family friendly activities inside and out, refreshments, crafts for kids. Santa Claus will light the tree before heading to a comfy chair and chats with children.

Festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. Wednesday, outside the Summit on the Park, where visitors can enjoy holiday carols performed by the PCEP Octavians A Cappella Choir, watch Santa's arrival - courtesy of the Canton Fire Department - and countdown to the official Tree Lighting with Canton Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy.  Ward off the night chill with some warm soup or other hot and delicious options, available for purchase onsite from The Rolling Stove food truck.

Special festive activities will also be held indoors, including additional refreshments and seasonal entertainment.

The cost is $5 per family, which includes cookie decorating, face painting by D& M Art Studio, two holiday crafts, and a visit with Santa.

Free seasonal entertainment will also be available indoors, including performances by Dancin' Feet and Spotlight on Youth, along with a family sing-a-long with Kevin Devine, and a Lionel Train display. Coffee and sweet holiday
drinks and treats will also be available for purchase from Katherine's Catering in the Summit Lobby.

Kids are encouraged to bring their favorite toy or stuffed animal to the event for a check-up at the Radio Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Toy Clinic, powered by Children's Hospital of Michigan. Be sure to take advantage of the special photo opportunity with a special Doc McStuffins backdrop. Parents are also encouraged to get a free Child Safety Kit, provided by New York Life. Record your child's vital statistics and urgent medical information in one convenient place, so if your child should be reported missing you will immediately have all the important information about your child ready so authorities can help find them.

During these festivities, don't forget to stop by the Tree Lighting Marketplace, located in the Summit Banquet Lobby, where you'll find unique items that will make perfect gifts and stocking-stuffers. Vendors include: Farmington Soap Works - hand crafted soaps; Geiser-Weaver Associates - American Girl inspired clothing & accessories; Cakes by Penny - cinnamon, sour cream coffee cakes & muffins;  Woolsey Wonders - hair bows, tutus & accessories; Don't Worry Bead Happy - holiday and everyday jewelry designs; Art by Audet - hand painted holiday ornaments and door hangers that can be personalized; Simple Threads - Plymouth and Canton cities, Michigan and school apparel; and Kristie's Kreations - wool mittens and brooches, scarves and snowman crafts. Sweet holiday drinks and treats will be available for purchase from Katherine's Catering in the
Summit lobby.

Share in the giving spirit as Canton Goodfellows and Canton Leisure Services team up to make sure that "No Child in Canton goes without a Christmas." Stop by the Aquatic Center lobby to find out what items are still needed. Pick up a tag and then bring a new, unwrapped toy or other item to: the Summit on the Park, or the Canton Administration Building. Contributions will be accepted through Dec. 10.

For additional information about the 35th Annual Tree Lighting Event, call 734-394-5460 or visit Cantonfun.org.

Source: news release