Parade & Old Fashioned Christmas in Manistee
December 4-7, 2008
The Christmas season is upon us, and Manistee kicks off the festivities in a big way, with their Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas weekend. This annual event brings as many as 10,000 visitors to Manistee to experience the wonder of a Christmas gone by.The highlight of the parade are the Belgian draft horses that pull 30' Christmas trees down River Street.
The entire weekend is filled with wonderful activities, including the Gingerbread House contest, Christmas in Toyland (featuring dolls and trains from the late 19th century), and guided tours of Babcock House, a grand lumberman's mansion. Manistee is a great place to pick up those gifts for everyone on your list, and downtown restaurants welcome you into their cozy establishments for a delicious meal. As the snow flies, enjoy the carolers, decked out in period dresses, coats, and top hats. It's certainly the right setting to put you in a festive holiday mood.
Thursday: 10am-5pm, Christmas in Toyland, Historical Museum
6pm, Santa Claus arrives
7pm, Victorian Dessert Concert, Faith Covenant Church
Friday: 10am-7pm, Victorian Gingerbread House Contest
1-4pm, Guided Tours of the Babcock House
5:30pm, Las Posadas, River Street
6-8pm, Manistee County student art exhibit
6-8pm, Historic River Street open house
6:3-8:30pm, Sleighbell Soiree, Ramsdell Ballroom
7pm, Christmas Campanile Concert
8pm, Alice in Wonderland, Historic Ramsdell Theater
Saturday: 9am-4pm, Sleighbell arts & crafts show & bake sale,
Manistee High School
9:30-11am, Breakfast with Santa, Ramsdell Theater
10am-3pm, Victorian Gingerbread House Contest
10am-8pm, Christmas in Toyland, Historical Museum
11am-7pm, Food Court, city drive parking lot
1-4pm, Guided tours of the Babcock House
1-8pm, Festival of Trees
4pm, Christmas Concert, Heritage Square
5:30pm, Victorian Sleighbell Parade
After parade, caroling around around tree
8pm, Alice in Wonderland, Historic Ramsdell Theater
8pm, Jingle Bell Jam, Eagles Club
Sunday: 10am, Victorian Church Service, First Congregational Church
10am-2pm, Festival of Trees
10am-5pm, Christmas in Toyland, Historical Museum
Noon-4pm, Historic River Street Open House
2pm, Alice in Wonderland, Historic Ramsdell Theater
