Behind the Scenes - Downtown is the Place for Holidays
Downtown Muskegon E-News
Behind the Scenes - Downtown for the Holidays
Downtown Muskegon does it up for the holidays! From the Hackley Park kickoff tree lighting, to Festival of Trees, to the Holiday Home Tour, to this year’s debut of the Unity Tree, to the Singing Christmas Tree, to the WSSO Home for Holidays concert, could there be more? In fact, there is more with the Holiday Movie Festival, now in its fifth year in the grand Frauenthal Theater. The Festival is a great place to spend some time the last days before Christmas, as nothing puts one in a holiday mood like a classic movie as it was meant to be experienced in a Real Theater. We talked with Main Street volunteer, Jen Cross of the Muskegon Chamber, one of the organizers, to get the skinny.
MS: What is special about downtown for the holidays?
JC: Coming downtown for the holidays is a cultural experience. There is just something traditional about shopping at local, downtown stores, enjoying the historical culture, the beautiful lighting, and trekking around in our winter wonderland to take in the wonderful activities that downtown Muskegon has to offer.
MS: Tell us a little bit about how the Holiday Movie Fest has become a Muskegon tradition?
JC: Aside from all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the Mainstreet Holiday Film Festival has brought an activity to escape and spend quality time with family and friends reminiscing about the traditions of the holiday, and especially in the surroundings of our beautiful, historic Frauenthal Theater. This is a low-cost, fun way to bring everyone together. It could also be a great outing for a grandparent to treat their grandchildren with while mom or dad is holiday shopping.
MS: I think this is the third year running the Polar Express will be playing. Why keep repeating it?
JC: We are seeing that the Polar Express is becoming a classic holiday film. The book, having been around for some time now, has gained quite a bit of recognition. But, after the movie released a few years ago it has become a phenomenon. The best selling author of the book is a native of West Michigan, which also brings a unique connection to our community. The Polar Express is such an inspiring story with beautiful animation that it really appeals across cultures and generations.
MS: How do audiences react to seeing Polar Express and the other movies you have shown?
JC: Very favorably. The Mainstreet Promotions Committee measures the participation each year and tries to bring a good mix of films that might appeal to a variety of audiences. The cost of admission is so low but there is also a discount for bringing in a canned good, which is donated to a local pantry. In addition, Santa make his appearance for photos, there will be a working model Polar Express train and “conductors” will be on on hand for the Polar Express showing to punch tickets. People always leave with a smile!
MS: Sounds like fun for the family. Thanks for telling us about this great event.
JC: Absolutely! And, I encourage everyone to come on down. It is a great activity to unwind and enjoy the holiday season!
Check it out on the web
Holiday Movie Information.
A Polar Express YouTube teaser
Downtown Photo Op - Parking Lot Liberation
Almost five years after the Community Foundation led the effort to purchase the former Muskegon Mall site, the organization has stepped out again to bring under local control a large piece of downtown Muskegon property. This time it is the large parking lot bounded by Shoreline Dr, First St, Morris, and Third. The lot will be used for special event parking and possibly other uses. A great day for Downtown Muskegon!!
Above, Linda Medema and Mark Root make sure the key works. . . And it does!! The lot will be free to the public through December.
Behind the Scenes - Downtown Homes On Parade
Downtown Muskegon has some wonderful living options, and the Nelson Neighborhood Improvement Association has been successfully introducing those options to almost 1000 regional visitors the last two years through their Holiday Heritage Home Tour. This year’s tour will take place December 8 and will feature nine downtown homes. Marcia Hovey-Wright, a neighborhood resident who lives in the JJ Howden Home on Webster Ave, helped get the tour off of the ground and provided some insight into this upcoming event.
MS: What got you fired up to get this tour started?
MHW: After my husband and I moved downtown Muskegon in 2002 we fell in love with the downtown experience and felt that not enough was being done to make people aware of the opportunities downtown Muskegon. I got involved in a number of efforts to promote downtown living, but this home tour has really been an idea that has “stuck” and has had an amazing impact in opening people’s eyes to downtown living.
MS: What has been the reaction of past visitors on the tour?
MHW: Both years we have had numerous visitors from within an hours drive of downtown Muskegon. Almost universally the reaction has been that they never knew that Muskegon had such an impressive stock of historic homes. I think it part of a longer held perception of Muskegon as a foundry town, but when they arrive they are amazed by the homes within easy walking distance of a beautiful Muskegon Lake that are in great condition, many over 100 years old.
MS: Is there anything new about this year’s tour?
MHW: Two wrinkles have been added to the tour this year, both solidifying our event’s tie to the revitalization happening downtown Muskegon. First, we have matched up some of our homes with some of our up and coming Muskegon retailers. The Panyard House which was moved to Muskegon Avenue will be featuring furnishings loaned by Hegg Gallery of Fine Furniture. Other retailers such as Jilly’s, Sun, Wind, & Rain, Wasserman’s, Mia Cake Originals, Glamazon, Clay Avenue Cellars and others will be participating. Another new twist is that representatives from Heritage Square Townhomes and HighPoint Flats, two new downtown living projects will be on hand to explain their new downtown living opportunities.
MS: How do you feel about living downtown and how is that experience changing? How do you see the future of downtown living?
MHW: My husband and I love the fact that we are close to all the action, such as an amazing array of cultural events, still within the context of a close knit neighborhood where neighbors know each other by virtue of the classic neighborhood design. And it keeps getting better for a number of reasons; including the turn back of Muskegon and Webster to residential streets, and the downtown revitalization that is bringing increasing retail and other entertainment experiences to our doorstep.
MS: What other logistical items do folks need to be aware of concerning the tour?
MHW: The tour begins at noon, and runs till 5:00 p.m., and all guests must begin the tour at the Union Depot at 610 W. Western Avenue (the Visitors Bureau) where they can purchase tickets, and will receive a program and map of the participating homes. Eager beavers can purchase tickets at the Frauenthal Box Office, Pitkin Drug Shoppe, or Keefe’s Pharmacy in the days leading up to the tour.
MS: More people living downtown is recognized by all as an important component in increasing the vibrancy of downtown so we thank you for your efforts to promote the concept to the greater Muskegon area.
MHW: You are most welcome. Actually working on the tour is a lot of fun and we get a lot of satisfaction from helping to promote downtown living.
Comment on this story on the Downtown Muskegon Blog
Check it out on the web
Holiday Heritage Home Tour information
Downtown Muskegon E-News
JC: Coming downtown for the holidays is a cultural experience. There is just something traditional about shopping at local, downtown stores, enjoying the historical culture, the beautiful lighting, and trekking around in our winter wonderland to take in the wonderful activities that downtown Muskegon has to offer. 
JC: We are seeing that the Polar Express is becoming a classic holiday film. The book, having been around for some time now, has gained quite a bit of recognition. But, after the movie released a few years ago it has become a phenomenon. The best selling author of the book is a native of West Michigan, which also brings a unique connection to our community. The Polar Express is such an inspiring story with beautiful animation that it really appeals across cultures and generations. 
JC: Very favorably. The Mainstreet Promotions Committee measures the participation each year and tries to bring a good mix of films that might appeal to a variety of audiences. The cost of admission is so low but there is also a discount for bringing in a canned good, which is donated to a local pantry. In addition, Santa make his appearance for photos, there will be a working model Polar Express train and “conductors” will be on on hand for the Polar Express showing to punch tickets. People always leave with a smile! 
