DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY EVENTS CANCELED
Farmers Market to host tree lighting activities next month
There will be no downtown Royal Oak Jingle Light Parade with related events this holiday season, but the Farmers Market plans to host a tree lighting next month with some socially- distanced activities.
The city Downtown Development Authority had considered scaling back its usual holiday events, but ultimately decided against any activities because of concerns over the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
DDA manager Sean Kammer said the organization will soon continue its e- gift card program at visitroyaloak.com as a way to help downtown businesses during the holiday season.
“People can purchase an e-gift card and receive a second card free that has a match of 50 percent,” he said. “Basically, people get a bonus card from us and our budget is $150,000.”
More than 70 downtown Royal Oak businesses take part in the e-gift program.
“It helps shoppers and introduces many of them to new stores and restaurants,” Kammer said.
The e- gift cards will be available well before the Small Business Saturday shopping day on Nov. 28.
The DDA is funding the cost of decorating the 20-foot evergreen tree between Farmers Market and the Royal Oak 44th District Court house for a tree lighting ceremony Dec. 3.
Robin Richardson, event planner for the market, is organizing activities for that day’s Holiday Magic Marketplace from 4-9 p.m.
“The tree lighting will be outside about 4 p.m.,” she said. “We’ll have a craft show with vendors inside the market.”
In normal years, the market hosts about 100 different vendors, but only half that number will take part in this year’s marketplace to keep social distancing in place.
“The booths will be more spaced out and we’ll have 15-foot aisles in the market,” Richardson said. “Everyone will be required to wear a face mask.”
Most of the vendors will be holiday themed and offer gifts and decor items for sale. The parking lot around the market and tree lighting area will be closed off. Plans are to have food trucks and entertainment in the parking lot. This is the 22nd second year for the Farmers Market holiday tree lighting ceremony.