HOLIDAY VISITORS - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in East Tawas Friday on a horse-drawn carriage as the community opened the holiday season with a parade, caroling and the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. - Photo by John Morris

East Tawas rang in the holidays
by John Morris

EAST TAWAS - Hundreds of residents and visitors gathered in downtown East Tawas and at the Harbor Park Friday evening to herald the beginning of the Christmas season.

The celebration began downtown at about 6 p.m. with a parade and was followed at 6:30 with caroling and the 33rd annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. And unlike the past few years of freezing temperatures during the celebration, the weather Friday was a balmy 36 degrees.
The sounds of the season, combined with a fresh thin blanket of snow, were fitting for the first of Santa’s several visits to the Tawases this year. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in East Tawas during the parade on a horse-drawn carriage.

Sponsored by the East Tawas Business Association, the parade was capped off with caroling and a tree lighting along the Tawas Bay waterfront at Harbor Park. Vocalist Dianne Knight of East Tawas led the gathering in a festive rendition of several Christmas carols. The carolers were accompanied by several members of the Tawas Community Concert Band.

Organizers served hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn to the carolers as East Tawas Mayor Bruce Bolen led a countdown to light the city’s Christmas tree as well as several other festival holiday decorations at the park.

For the second year, the East Tawas Business Association honored city residents as its “Family of the Year.” This year’s recipients are members of the Denney family - Michael and Lisa and their four children, Liz - 15, Amanda - 10, PJ - 7 and Lili - 5, and grandmother, Bonnie.

“They are a busy family doing real family things together,” Mayor Bolen said in introducing the Denneys.

In addition to their church activities, the Denneys are involved in Iosco PRIDE, the Tawas Area High School band, dance lessons, dance recitals, ice skating and Tawas Bay Players and Shoreline Players productions.