An ever stronger Downtown Development Authority is continuing to make its mark in the central business district of downtown Benton Harbor and the community's Arts District as they get ready to help everyone in the community at large to enjoy being "Home for the Holidays." It all starts tomorrow night, Friday, November 18th.
As the holidays draw near, the Benton Harbor Downtown Development Authority invites everyone to attend holiday events that are happening tomorrow, Friday November 18th, beginning at 4:30pm in the center of the city. The DDA is collaborating to build spirit for residents, business owners, and visitors alike.
This year the holiday activities are being organized by the Benton Harbor DDA, the city's Parks and Recreation Conservancy, the City of Benton Harbor itself, the New Territory Arts Association, the Benton Harbor Public Library, Benton Harbor Area Schools, and others. All of the groups are working together to ensure the activities complement one another.
Benton Harbor area businesses and property owners are once again contributing to the events through their generous donations to make the celebrations possible. Here is a brief recap of the planned activities:
- Celebrity Holiday Story Readings will take place at the Benton Harbor Public Library, located at 213 East Wall Street, at 4:30pm. Local celebrities will read stories to children of all ages.
- “Holiday Lights Celebration”– the 3rd annual Holiday Lights Celebration has been organized by the Benton Harbor Parks Conservancy and DDA in partnership with the City of Benton Harbor, Benton Harbor Area Schools, and many generous sponsors. The celebration is slated for tomorrow night, Friday, November 18th at 6:00pm in Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park. Celebrations will include music from “I am Saving Myself “Choir with members of the First Presbyterian Church, and Benton Harbor Area Schools Middle School Band. Refreshments from local businesses will be served and the prizes for the window and merchant holiday decorating contests will be awarded.
- Holiday Light Poles and Park Decorations– through a cooperative effort of donors, the Parks Conservancy, and the New Territory Arts Association, Benton Harbor will once again have lighted street light poles along Main Street and in the Arts District. The lights are being strung and they will “throw the switch” at the ceremonies in Dwight P. Mitchell Park at 6:00pm tomorrow night.
- DDA Holiday Window Decoration Contest – the DDA is sponsoring a contest for the best holiday decorated storefront. Participating business owners are creating specially decorated storefronts, and will compete to win bragging rights and a trophy.
- Youth Window Decoration Contest – Benton Harbor school/youth organizations, the DDA and Consortium for Community Development are partnering to sponsor a holiday window decorating contest for area youth. Business and property owners have made their storefront windows available to area youth organizations to paint an exterior windowpane in the theme of “Home for the Holidays”. Teams are competing to win prize money for their youth organization.
- Luminaries – St. Joseph Today’s Luminary Night falls on the same evening as the Benton Harbor Holiday Lights Celebration, as participating Benton Harbor and St. Joseph businesses will place luminaries on the sidewalk in front of businesses, to extend the luminaries to both communities encouraging people to visit those businesses, in both cities.
Thanks to the cooperative efforts of several groups, the City of Benton Harbor, is going to be filled with holiday spirit and looking forward to great celebrations throughout the season.
