Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run to wind through Blissfield during Wassail Festival

By Melissa Burnor

What could warm one up on a brisk December Friday evening in Blissfield? Besides the wassail, a scenic 5K run through the village of Blissfield might be the ticket. The Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run takes place Friday evening during the Wassail Festival. The starting gun fires off at 6:30 p.m. on Lane Street in downtown Blissfield.

The race route, illuminated by ice luminaries along the way, will take runners through residential areas in the eastern portion of the village. And organizers are hoping the map of the run will bring out folks along the route to cheer on the runners.

One of the event organizers, April Wolfe, said the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program committee was looking for a novel idea that would attract more people to Blissfield. “Something fun for families, something different for people to do,” Wolfe said. Other area communities have had color runs, haunted runs, and candy cane runs. This run rewards runners with hot chocolate or wassail for their efforts takes them through the decorated streets of Blissfield. Organizers are asking residents to turn their Christmas lights or porch lights along the route to cheer the runners along the way, Wolfe said.

The run supports the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. Cost is $25 per person or $60 per family with no more than two adults. Registration will be taken up until race time. Race Day registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on South Lane Street under the red tent top in front of Loar’s Appliance. Runners will get a commemorative Wassail Festival mug that allows them to take part in the wassail tasting at the festival. An ID must be presented to obtain a mug, Wolfe said. Runners under 21 years of age or non-drinkers can get a special hot chocolate mug also designed for the occasion. Runners can get their hot chocolate mug filled up at Blissfield Coney Island that evening.

The Blissfield Coney Island is a long-time sponsor of the Miss River Raisin Festival in July. Sponsors of the race are Royal Nutrition and the pageant’s main sponsor Borchardt Brothers’ Market. For more on the Wassail Festival, please see related story on this website.

Prizes will be awarded for each age group. Email advance@cass.net for race information or visit www.blissfield.net for downloadable race forms and updates.

Copyright 2012, River Raisin Publications, Inc.