The town of Merrillville is in the Holiday Spirit and is excited to expand on their Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony with a new twist in 2023.
They have asked the area elementary schools to make themed hand-crafted Christmas Tree decorations and a decorated tree for a friendly and festive decorating contest to be held Friday, December 1st from 5:30 – 7:30, 2023. There will be a school winner announced with prizes and fanfare for all the children and schools involved.
Planned to be a mostly inside event, the initial Tree Lighting of the 25 foot Tree in front of the center will be held outside, with Santa arriving on a Fire Truck! The rest of the festivities will be held inside the beautiful, spacious and newly built Dean and Barbara White Community Center, located at 6600 Broadway, Merrillville, Indiana.
Inside there will be hot cocoa, candy and refreshments for the attending families. Acknowledgment of each school and the participating Art teacher will be announced as well. Followed by Visits with Santa.
There will be more activities and surprises added as this new endeavor progresses. The Merrillville Town Council is proud to bring this New level event to the children and families of Merrillville and the broader community at large.
3 Levels of Sponsorships are also Available:
The Candy Cane Lane Sponsor will sponsor the hot cocoa and candy, as well as have their name and logo on the Outdoor Marque in December, and acknowledgement on social media and at the Event.
If you become a Mid-Level sponsor, you will have on display you very own local elementary School Christmas Tree on display for the Entire Season! Your company name and logo will be displayed on the Outdoor Marquee in December, and Your company name and logo will be displayed on the Event Signage. There will be acknowledgement on social media and at the Event.
The HoHoHo Sponsor will be the Santa Claus Presenting Sponsor; Company Name and Logo on the Brick Wall; company name and logo will be displayed on the Outdoor Marquee Now Thru the end of December; company name and logo will be displayed on the Event Signage; acknowledgement on social media and at the Event.
All activities and refreshments are free. In addition to sponsorships the Center is accepting donations from area businesses, (just be as creative as possible with donations) and are asking patrons to contact Barb Young at byoung@merrillville.in.gov or call 219-472-8929. Interested parties may also contact Linda Rosas at lrosas@merrillville.in.gov or calling 219-769-5711.
Watch Our 10 Minute Youtube Video that Tours The Facility!
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Local Christmas Tree Farms
Orak Shrine Circus, Hammond Civic Center;Christmas the Park – Spencer Park, Demotte; • East Chicago Celebration of Lights, City Hall;• First Friday Art Walk – Downtown Michigan City, Santa Procession &Tree Lighting at Pruzin Park, Merrillville; City Tree Lighting, Festival Park, Hobart; Carol Fest at VU, Valparaiso University; Chesterton H.S. Madrigal Dinner, Chesterton H. S.; Community Tree Lighting & First Friday, St. Mary of the Lake, Miller; Illuminated Parade, Whitlng City Hall; Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; “Plaid Tidings” Towle Theatre, Hammond; Snowflake Parade, Michigan City; Breakfast with Santa – Valparaiso YMCA; •A Christmas Story Comes Home, Indiana Welcome Center, Hammond; Christmas Open House, Family Express, Kouts; • Breakfast w/Santa (Dyer); • Breakfast with Santa, Wilbur Wright School, Munster; • Breakfast w/Santa, Schererville ; Christmas Craft Show – Portage; • The Nutcracker by Indiana Ballet Theatre at Valparaiso, Gary and Crown Point • Annual Cookie Walk, Westminister Presbyterian Church, Munster; Ethnic Cookie Sale, Whiting; St. Mary of the Lake Annual Christmas Bazaar Miller; Folk Art Holiday Open House, Fawn Run Farm, Rolling Priaire; Hammond Holiday Parade, Hammond; •Winter Jam Craft & Vendor Fair, Lake County Fair Grounds, Crown Point; • Christmas on the Farm – Countryside Park, Portage; • Candy Cane Express, Hesston Steam Museum, Laporte; •Santa in the Courthouse, Crown Point; • Portage Christmas Festival, Founder’s Square, Portage; • Pioneerland Christmas, LaPorte County Fairgrounds, LaPorte; • Santa at the Kaske House – Heritage Park, Munster; • 5-11:30pm, , Madrigal Dinner, United Methodist Church, Michigan City; • 8- 9:45pm, Babes & Boys Christmas Show, Beatniks On Conkey, Hammond; • Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; • Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular! Majestic Star Casino, Hammond • Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; • Babes & Boys Christmas Show, Beatniks On Conkey, Hammond; • Folk Art Holiday Open House, Fawn Run Farm, Rolling Priaire; • Christmas on the Farm – Countryside Park, Portage; • Candy Cane Hunt – Dyer, Plum Creek Center, Dyer; • Santa in the Courthouse, Crown Point Courthouse; Three Little Birds Market, Valparaiso, Brunch with Santa at Lansing Country Club, Breakfast with Santa AT White Rhino, Dyer. Christmas at the mill.
Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest, Oh Fudge Relay Race
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
