Let it Glow themed Holiday Night

Young girl telling Santa and Mrs. Claus her Christmas wish list. Cover photos and photo above by Craig Hebert

By Sarah Shurge – Mark your calendars because Wayne’s annual Holiday Night at the Museum will be Friday, December 5th, at the Wayne Historical Society on 1 Towne Square St. The event will start at 5 p.m. and will go until 9 p.m.
This year there is a “let it glow” theme, so wear your best glow in the dark costume/outfit to join the fun. There will be a contest for best glowing ensemble with prizes for both adults and kids.
Santa will make his grand entrance at 6 p.m. The Wayne Memorial High School Marching Band will perform and lead the grand entrance.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be inside the museum from around 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. where they will take photos with the kids and hand out gifts to every child.
This year there will be something new, so families don’t have to stand in line waiting for Santa for so long – a Santa fast pass. Look for the sign for the Santa sign-in table on the corner of Biddle St and Main St.
Families will check in and kids will get color-coded wristbands to let them know their timeslot to come back to the museum for their photo with Santa. The first 40 kids will get let in right away for their photo and the next 40 kids will be let in during the next wave and so on.
This allows families more time to enjoy the event and activities. It’s important to keep your time slot. If you miss your window, don’t try to sneak in. You can get in during a different window.
The tree lighting ceremony will be held outside the museum following Santa’s grand entrance. Aside from the tree lighting, the night will be filled with activities for the whole family.
The event will have outdoor games, ice carvings, choirs and carolers including children from St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and costume characters. Wagon rides will be from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (line up on the side parking lot of Hill Crest Bible Church).
DJ Lutalo from The Dance Academy will be at the event and hold a dance contest and prizes.
There will be a firework display, so those with sensory issues please be aware and take caution.
Several food trucks will also be at the event, including Fun Food Express, El Jefe Taco truck, and Hill Crest will provide cookies and hot chocolate.
Another new addition to the event is a photo booth inside Hill Crest. The photo will be emailed to your phone. From 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. the Grinch will be available at the photo booth for photos and from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Elsa will be available for photos.
Thanks to Kurt Jarman, Kurt’s Caps owner, there will be warming areas with fire pits. There will also be porta potties available for the public. This is the ninth year in a row the Wayne Historical Society has planned Holiday Night. Hill Crest Bible Church has helped with the event for eight of those years and provides the toys Santa gives to the children.
“Last year was awesome. Even though it was freezing, the crowds came out,” said Lisa Kubany, Wayne Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Marketing and Events Director. “It took us longer to get Santa organized, that’s why we’re thinking outside the box to help families enjoy the activities we’ve provided for them.”
This is the first year the Santa fast pass is being tried out, so please be patient and understanding as the system is being figured out.
The event is currently sponsored by the Wayne DDA, Hill Crest Bible Church, Wayne Historical Society, First Congregational Church, Ford Motor Company, Wayne Westland Federal Credit Union, Fun Food Express, El Jefe Taco, Kurt’s Caps, The Wayne Dispatch, Wayne Fire Department, Wayne Police Department, and Wayne DPW.
Park St, Biddle St, and Main St will be closed 5 – 9 p.m. Newberry St will be closed 6 – 9 p.m.
The Wayne Historical Society is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday – Thursday.
If you want to learn about events, fundraisers, or more information about the museum, you can visit the website at facebook.com/waynehistoricalsociety. Or call (734)722-0113.
The DDA is also launching their Passport Program on Small Business Saturday.
The DDA is hosting an event at Flowers in the Mitten/Makers Market (34852 W Michigan Ave) from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., on Saturday, November 29th.
The event will have a raffle and give away $300 worth of gift cards to shop in Downtown Wayne.
The first 50 people that arrive will receive a Small Business Saturday welcome bag. Five of those people will win gift cards to go shopping that day.
To participate in the Passport Program, be sure to visit each business listed on the passport to get a stamp. There are 12 businesses participating (six shopping, six dining). Turn in your stamped passport to City Hall (3355 S Wayne Rd.) by Friday, December 19th.
On Monday, December 22nd, the DDA will announce the winners. First place will receive $400 worth of gift cards to city of Wayne businesses. Second place will receive $100 worth of gift cards.
The DDA is also working with Fox 2 News. During the month of December, watch Fox 2 News and look for the Weather Authority logo. Enter to win through the Fox 2 Weather Authority and win a $500 gift card to Leo’s Jewelry if you win the quiz.
For more information about the Passport Program or Fox 2 Weather Authority, you can contact Lisa Kubany at (734)722-2000 (ex. 1400) or email lkubany@cityofwayne.com
Don’t miss out on all the upcoming fun!