Parade, Tree Lighting Kick Off 35th Annual Yuletide Festival

Blissfield kicked off its 35^th Annual Yuletide weekend tonight with a Santa Claus Parade and tree lighting ceremony.

Several hundred people gathered downtown and then followed Santa and Miss River Raisin Tammy Korican as they rode a Blissfield Township Fire Department truck driven by Village President-elect and firefighter Mike Gunter to the Bachmayer Park Christmas Tree.

There, Korican and Santa lit the tree before leading the crowd in a couple Christmas Carols. From there, the crowd crossed the street and visited the historic Depot, where Kathy and Bob Valdez, Gwen Dusa and George and Kay Brown distributed free cookies and hot chocolate.

The holiday activities continue Saturday and Sunday.

Here are some of the highlights for Saturday.

• The annual Blissfield Yuletide Craft Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Blissfield Elementary School
• Holiday shopping in downtown stores, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Holiday Art Exhibit, featuring the solo work of Saul Rubenstein and a group exhibit featuring Mark Wagar, John Leyland and more, at from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Flatlanders Art Galleries.
• Lost Foam Casting Demonstration by Adrian College students, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Flatlanders Art Galleries.
• Santa and Live Reindeer, 1 to 4 p.m., at the historic depot and visitors center.
• Blissfield Model Railroad Club open house, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Old Road Dinner Train rides though town, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Carriage rides through town, noon to 5 p.m.
• Cookie Decorating Contest at Blissful Living, 122 S. Lane St. Bring a small plate of decorated cookies by noon. Judging is at 1 p.m. Prizes will be given in adult and children divisions.
• Blissfield native and author Tina Lonski signs her books, Barn Raising and A Transplanted Yooper, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Packrat.
• Christmas Tea and Jewelry show, 2 p.m., at the Blissfield Bed and Breakfast.
• Shopportunity, sponsored by Blissfield Preschool, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

For more information about Blissfield Yuletide events, visit the website by clicking here.