25th annual Silver Bells enjoys record numbers

Downtown Lansing was illuminated with a holiday glow Friday as the streets were filled with light-covered trees, businesses and horse-drawn carriages. About 150,000 students and area residents gathered at the 25th annual Silver Bells in the City tree-lighting event to kick off the holiday season.

“The time (of year), event and decorations really kick off the holiday spirit for everyone,” said Joni Rainbolt, media and promotions manager for the event. “It just keeps going. It’s kind of a big weekend to get people to start thinking about it all.”

The ceremony had a record number of attendees, and the success could be attributed to three main factors, she said.

“The weather was much more conducive for families and everything; (knowing) it was the 25th anniversary … and it (was) the 150th celebration of Lansing,” she said.

The streets were lined with people and trees were lit with lights leading up to the 63-foot spruce holiday tree, which was lit for the first time this year at about 7 p.m. Friday.

Streets were closed down for a parade, where vehicles were covered in holiday lights, brightening the streets as they drove. There were marching bands from several schools, including Eaton Rapids Senior High School and Waverly Senior High School, and horse-drawn carriages transported attendees throughout the downtown area in typical holiday fashion. All the businesses surrounding the Capitol Building displayed holiday greeting signs.

After the parade, fireworks commenced in celebration of the fast-approaching holidays.

Silver Bells brings newcomers to the downtown area, which introduces them to the area’s restaurants, said Jennifer Schoon, general manager of the Nuthouse Sports Grill, 420 E. Michigan Ave.

“It’s a well-organized event that gets bigger and better every year. There’s so many people and a lot of them aren’t familiar with the area,” she said. “It brings in new faces and it’s a great opportunity to get more people to come.”

Chef David Shire at Tavern on the Square, 206 S. Washington Square, said he noticed a surge of customers Friday with the tree-lighting celebration.

“Looking at the numbers from last year, it looked like we were probably busier,” he said. “It’s good news, especially with the current financial climate.”

Some students who attended Silver Bells said they appreciated what the Lansing area has to offer and said it was a great way to get familiar with downtown.

“It was a great opportunity and a great turnout with all the people,” psychology sophomore Lindsey Alberty said. “It’s a really cool way to get out in the community and experience the downtown. I haven’t been down here. It’s easy to forget campus is so close to Lansing.”

Biosystems engineering junior Ellen Bornhorst said she agreed.

“Silver Bells was a great opportunity to get MSU students involved with the Lansing community and things around it outside of campus, to check out the Capitol (Building) and
other businesses in the area,” she said. “It was fun. It was good to come out and see everything.”