Silver jubilee

Hear the sledges with the bells — 

Silver bells!

What a world of merriment their melody foretells!

How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,

In the icy air of night!

 — Edgar Allen Poe, "The Bells"

Silver Bells in the City had humble beginnings, accordingto coordinator Mindy Biladeau, who says it started “with a few peoplesinging Christmas carols around the state Christmas tree.” On the thirdyear, the lighting of the state Christmas tree was incorporated intothe event. It has grown consistently since then to become the festivalit is today.

The 27th annual Silver Bells takes place Friday.

Millions of lights are lit for the occasion, and eventsare held at the City Market, the downtown library, the Capitol, theCATA station, and many other venues.

“(There is a) holiday arts and craftsmarket, with lots of crafts and goodies and food, with some extra stufffor kids new this year,” Biladeau said. The Silver Bells Villagefeatures vendors selling a variety of unique wares, including homemadefoods, hand-crafted items, and Michigan-made products. The annual,limited-edition commemorative Silver Bells ornament is also availableat the Village.

Headlining this year’s Silver Bells is Radio Disneyfavorite Cody Simpson, whose “Coast to Coast” CD reached Number 12 onthe Billboard album chart earlier this year.

Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at the CityMarket, and have a Saturday morning breakfast with Santa at Troppo.Children are also invited to join Radio Disney’s Road Crew for dancingand singing on the Capitol steps.

New this year is the Silver Bells Fun Run, a nearly 5krun that takes participants around the route of the Electric LightParade, which follows the run. The parade includes dozens of floats,marchers and other entries, and will involve a derby team, marchingbands and the Lansing Fire Department.

The parade is followed by the lighting of the StateChristmas tree at the steps of the Capitol. Finally — weatherpermitting — the grand finale will come in the form of fireworks overthe Capitol building.

Parking is available for free after 5 p.m. on all citylots, city parking ramps and on-street, and attendees are encouraged toutilize CATA shuttles.

Silver Bells in the City

Friday, Nov. 18

Downtown Lansing

Free

(517) 487-3322

silverbellsinthecity.org