Santa Claus Came to Marquette Township Tonight to Light the Township Christmas Tree

Marquette Township, MI  –  December 8th, 2015  –  What a beautiful night to kick off the Christmas season here in Marquette Township!

The Westwood Mall parking lot was packed with families tonight as the Redmen Chorale welcomed Santa to the township with Christmas carols. The kids waited eagerly for Santa to arrive and throw the switch on the big township Christmas tree.

LISTEN – Major Discount Chats with Marquette Township Special Events Committee Trustee Pete LaRue

Township Manager Randy Girard told Major Discount that the Grinch had been spotted in Marquette Township. Sure enough, the Grinch slunk into the Great Lakes Radio Station and managed to steal the airwaves for a few minutes. Our DJs finally wrestled control of the radio station away from the Grinch and chased him out the door!

LISTEN – Major Discount checks in during the festivities at the Annual Marquette Township Tree Lighting Ceremony Break2.mp3

While everyone was at the Westwood Mall getting everything set up for Santa’s Arrival tonight, the Grinch apparently made his way to Biggby Coffee.

What a rascal! Workers at Biggby said they were shocked to see the Grinch behind the counter preparing his own drink and rifling through everything! Biggby Coffee posted to their Facebook that the Grinch stole coffee from their shop! He even grabbed a 100 oz. Grab It 2 Go mug and tried to sneak out with it.

LISTEN – Major Discount Talks with Marquette Township Manager Randy Girard at the Annual Marquette Township Tree Lighting Ceremony Break3.mp3

While the Grinch was sneaking around the township, the rest of us were singing Christmas carols with the Redmen Chorale and waiting for Santa to arrive. It didn’t take long for the Grinch to find us and start stalking through the crowd. Why that old Grinch even jumped up on the big stage and made the Redmen Chorale sing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!”

LISTEN – Major Discount checks in during the festivities at the Annual Marquette Township Tree Lighting Ceremony Break4.mp3

Good thing the Marquette County Sheriff Department was on hand to protect the township and save our Christmas from the Grinch! They arrested the Grinch and hauled him away just as Santa Claus was riding into the Westwood Mall parking lot on the Marquette Township Fire Truck. How’s that for perfect timing?

LISTEN – Major Discount and Randy Girard talk about what makes this season so special

After singing Jolly Old St. Nicholas with the Redmen Chorale, Santa Claus flipped the big red switch and lit the Marquette Township Christmas Tree! If you didn’t make it to the tree lighting ceremony, you can’t miss this beautiful 33-foot tree all lit up in front of the Westwood Mall.

LISTEN – Major Discount checks in during the festivities at the Annual Marquette Township Tree Lighting Ceremony Break6.mp3

Once the tree was lit, the children followed Santa into the mall for snacks and pictures. The mall looked beautiful and was the perfect place for everyone to warm up while they waited to visit with Santa. Super One Foods provided cookies for the children, Honor Credit Union popped 300 bags of popcorn for everyone, and Biggby Coffee made sure the adults had plenty of coffee to warm up with.

Thank you everyone who participated in this year’s Catch the Christmas Spirit event in Marquette Township.