Shelby Parks and Recreation Rings in the Holidays with 5 Festive Family Events

Santa will be stopping in Shelby Township more than once before Christmas this year.

• Mark your calendar to participate at the Annual Christmas Aglow, Breakfast with Santa, Dinner with Santa, and Santa’s visit to the Nature Center. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the “Feed the Need” program. For more information on these or other upcoming events, please phone 586-731-0300 or visit shelbytwp.org/departments/prm. You can also “like” them on Facebook to find out about these and other upcoming events hosted by the Shelby Township Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department.
  
  Christmas Aglow, sponsored by Christian Financial Credit Union and Dr. Ban R Bat, will be held on the Shelby Township Municipal Grounds on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. In addition to Santa lighting the tree, festivities for this free event include caroling with the Eisenhower High School Choir, coffee and cookies, a marshmallow roast. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be provided courtesy of the Shelby Lions’ Club and Scoops Ice Cream and Custard Shop. Families can also take a horse-drawn wagon rides, make crafts and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus inside Historic Hope Chapel after Santa lights the tree. 

• Reservations for Breakfast with Santa and Friends are now being taken at the Parks and Recreation Department. The event takes place at the Shelby Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 7 with seatings at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.. Nickel & Saph, Inc. is the sponsor for this event where a pancake breakfast is served family style and kids get to visit with Old Saint Nick without having to stand in line at the mall. Mrs. Claus and her chilly snowman friend as well as will be on hand to entertain guests. The fee for this event is $7 per resident, and $14 per non-resident. Space is limited to 100 for each seating.

• For a more formal event, families will enjoy the festivities at Dinner and Dancing with Santa Claus at Cherry Creek Banquet Center on Thursday, Dec. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. The evening includes a lovely buffet dinner, dancing to music from a DJ, and a visit with Santa and a few of his friends. The Shelby Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting reservations for this festive fun family evening that is sure to be a night to remember. The cost for Shelby and Utica residents is $18 per person ages 5 through adult and $6 per person for ages 4 and under and includes a scrumptious buffet dinner, dancing, a DJ, and a visit with Santa Claus. Non-residents add $10 per family. Seating is limited, so don’t delay in making your reservation.

• The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center is hosting A Pioneer Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8. Visitors to this event sponsored by Christian Financial Credit Union can learn how the pioneers and early settlers in the area celebrated the Christmas season. The Sisters of the Union will welcome guests to the Pioneer Cabin which will be decorated for the season. There will be games, crafts, wagon rides and other activities for all ages, and cookies and hot chocolate as well. The fee for this event is just $5 each for ages 4 and up. Please call the Nature Center at 586-323-2478 for more information. 

• The sound of reindeer hooves just might be heard on the roof of the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center on Sunday, Dec. 15. From 1-3 p.m. kids can visit with the big jolly guy dressed in Red. Santa will be taking those last minute requests from all the good little boys and girls in Shelby Township. There is no charge for this last chance to see Santa before he gets ready for that special Christmas delivery. The Nature Center is located at 4101 River Bends Drive on the east side of Ryan, between 22 Mile and Auburn Roads. Call 586-323-2478 for more information about this event. 

The staff at the Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Department and the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center extend their best wishes to all for the holiday season and throughout the coming year. They also encourage any business or service organization to consider supporting one of the many family friendly free and low cost annual events that the Parks and Recreation Department and Nature Center host. More information about event support is available by phoning 586-731-0300 or emailing shelbyprm@shelbytwp.org.