MUSKEGON, Mich. — A Muskegon County business district is showing off its holiday spirit this year some fun festive decorations.
It’s all thanks to a few community members coming together to make it all possible.
Third Street in Muskegon is home to a variety of businesses including a game store and area favorite Hamburger Mikey.
Thanks to community members decorating the trees and light poles outside it feels like the holidays.
“People all over Facebook, have been posting about the lights downtown and making special trips to go downtown to see the lights. And we're just two blocks away from those gorgeous lights. And so, we wanted to connect that corridor and go, hey, let's come down here and look at Third Street too,” Katrina Kochin, Commissioner Elect of Ward 4 in Muskegon, said.
The idea for the lights came to Mark Poletti and Cindy Nichols after sitting down for a meal at their favorite restaurant, Curry Kitchen.
“It's a special place in our heart and our stomach. Because they during COVID, they gave free meals out the entire time. It was the only restaurant. It was amazing that they did that,” Mark Poletti, said. “We came here, and it was like a dark zone. And we thought, Oh, that's a shame.”
The pair contacted commissioner-elect Katrina Kochin who went to work on the project right away.
“We went through some channels, found out the poles do have power. And then was like, these guys really need help. These businesses down here often get forgotten. And so, I wanted to make sure that they had their lights up for people so that they could do their holiday shopping, and holiday eating while they're shopping,” Kochin said.
Those living in Muskegon say they’re impressed with the changes.
Hamburger Mikey’s got on board with the plan and donated $300 dollars for decorations.
“It's exciting, because we have a lot of kids that travel from the schools over here. And this is a neighborhood side. I want them to have that. That Christmas holiday feel in their neighborhood as well,” Tim Taylor, Managing Partner of Hamburger Mikey, said.
The light poles are now wrapped in garlands, wreaths, and lights.
“We wanted to make sure that we got lights that were inclusive. For everybody we've got orange lights to kind of represent Diwali. We've got the traditional reading green lights that go to both Christmas and Kwanzaa we've got the blue When White likes to represent Hanukkah, and purple lights for just everybody,” Kochin said.
The twinkling lights not only make everyone feel welcome, but also bring joy during the holidays.
The project came together in just a few short weeks.
The plan is to decorate again next year making the displays even bigger and brighter.
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