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We hope you enjoy this abbreviated version of the

Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth Since 1906

Vol. 113 No. 19 - In our 113th year!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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Holiday Celebration to signal start of Christmas in the city

  With the 2018 holiday season approaching, the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau is preparing for its annual Holiday Celebration and Candlewalk on Friday, November 23.

  Last year, a committee was formed to help address ideas and improvements to the event which is a tradition for many families near and far. That committee was successful in streamlining the celebration.

   “With limited resources, the group quickly identified some big ideas that will be goals for the future as well as some improvements that could be implemented this year,” Chamber/CVB President and CEO Jamie Furbush said.

  The celebration will begin at 6pm at the Frankenmuth River Place Shops, near the outdoor stage and pavilion. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be available

  The Frankenmuth Gemuetlichkeit Club will kick off the event, singing traditional Christmas carols, followed by the local clergy telling the story of Christmas while being accompanied by the St. Lorenz Lutheran Church community choir. The clergy will include St. Lorenz Lutheran Church Pastor Mark Brandt, Hope Community Church Pastor Nathan Mains and Frankenmuth United Methodist Church Pastor Mark Carls.

  The entire program will be a bit shorter than in previous years to keep things moving as the event often experiences challenging weather conditions.

  “While the event may be a few minutes shorter, we hope people will enjoy all the new special touches along the way to make the experience one to remember in a positive way,” Furbush stated.

  After the story concludes, the Frankenmuth High School Marching Band and musicians from E.F. Rittmueller Middle School will lead the candlewalk to the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Platz. The walk will leave River Place Shops, cross the Cass River at the pedestrian bridge, head north along South Main Street and stop at the Chamber Platz.

  The first 2,000 walkers will receive free green-cupped candles for the walk. The candles will be distributed at the River Place Shops. There will be traditional candles for adults and glow candles for children.

  In past years there was a nominal charge for the candles, however nine sponsors stepped in this year, including JMW Real Estate, Modern Craft Winery, Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen, River Place Shops, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie, Rau’s Country Store, Rapunzel’s Boutique and Rehmann.

  The Curbside Singers will lead the gathering at the Platz. This new group is a community choir affiliated with the ‘Muth Community Players and they will lead a Christmas carol sing-a-long.

  The event will conclude with a short program to officially light the Community Tannenbaum, which was decorated and sponsored by the Frankenmuth Jaycees. Dale “Munchy” Muehlfeld, owner of Muehlfeld Builders was instrumental in getting the perfect tree from Fred Beythan, Jr.

  “The equipment, financial and personal contributions of all the people that come together to brightly light our community is a symbol of the community’s giving spirit,” Furbush noted.

   Santa Claus will also make a stop in Frankenmuth, before heading back to the North Pole to prepare for his busiest time of the year. St. Nick will be at the Chamber Visitor Center from 6:30-8:30pm, near the Community Tannenbaum.

  Furbush encourages persons to shop local for Christmas. For local savings, persons should pick up a Peppermint Perks discount card art the Visitor Center for $5 off of a $25 purchase at nearly 40 merchants.

  At 10am Saturday, November 24, shoppers should stop at the Visitor Center for a Shop Small bag full of savings and special promotions for Small Business Saturday. Random bags will be stuffed with Frankenmuth money giveaways.

  The Holiday Celebration is made possible by the following businesses and organizations: American Plumbing & Heating, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth Credit Union, Medilodge of Frankenmuth, Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie, Rau’s Country Store, Frankenmuth River Place Shops, Seung Ni Fit Club, Verizon Wireless Zone, Willi’s Sausage Company, Zak & Mac’s, Remer Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., Vector Tech Group, Frankenmuth Brewery, Frankenmuth Jaycees, Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and McDonald’s of Frankenmuth.