Plymouth Adds 9-Foot Santa and Interactive Decorations to Kellogg Park for Holiday Season

The Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Authority installed fresh holiday displays at Kellogg Park. A towering 9-foot Santa stands alongside a 7-foot polar bear that children can scramble onto for pictures. Bronner's Christmas Wonderland of Frankenmuth supplied both pieces at roughly $9,000.

Residents will see the big reveal during the Santa Parade on Friday, Nov. 28. That's the day after Thanksgiving. Santa should reach the park around 7:30 p.m., right after the parade wraps and the tree lighting happens.

"We've set a goal to make Plymouth more of a Christmas town," said Chamber President Wes Graff to Hometown Life. "Christmas is good for two things the Chamber works on – it's good for business and it's good for image – and so it perfectly fits what we do."

These displays signal a change from the old Santa House tradition, which stopped when the longtime Santa retired. That same Santa now greets visitors at the Plymouth Historical Museum's holiday caboose, opening up space for different park attractions.

Last year, officials brought in Santa's Sleigh for photo ops and mailboxes where kids drop letters to Santa. "We realize the world's become more of a selfie world," Graff said to Hometown Life. "It allows people to come down anytime, not just when Santa's there, and take selfies and do interesting things in the park."

DDA Director Sam Plymale explained that the parade will feature school choir members, a holiday magician show, Salvation Army hot chocolate, and the traditional lighting ceremony. The fresh additions join the longtime lighted menorah, a manger with wise men, and other seasonal displays.

"People come to downtown Plymouth — that's where they make a lot of their holiday memories," Plymale said, as per Hometown Life. "They celebrate with friends and family during the holiday season, whether it's at our great events down here or holding a family gathering at one of our great restaurants or just doing their Christmas shopping at the retail stores."

Graff mentioned the push is aimed at pulling in more visitors and helping them to appreciate the value of shopping locally. "It's essential," he said while speaking with Hometown Life. "People love these stores that are down here. If we want them to keep going, we have to shop local."