Light Up Lakewood Bringing Holiday Extravaganza to Downtown

On Dec. 3, a half-mile stretch of Detroit Avenue will turn into a winter wonderland.

The Fifth Annual Light Up Lakewood Festival, sponsored by LakewoodAlive, will take over Detroit Avenue from Marlowe to Arthur avenues, from l to , from 5-8 p.m. It will feature the region’s only winter parade, a ceremonial lighting of holiday lights at Lakewood Hospital, an appearance by Santa Claus and street entertainment.

“Over the past several years, Light Up Lakewood has grown into a true Holiday tradition – a not-to-be missed event for our community,” said Tamara Karel, Light Up Lakewood Committee chair.

The event will officially begin at 5 p.m., when the Light Up Lakewood Parade is set to march west on Detroit Avenue, from Bunts to Arthur avenues. Santa will go on his pied-piper march back to Lakewood Hospital for the official lighting ceremony following the parade.

There will also be awards for Best of Show, Most Creative and Best Use of Lights, and the crowning of a Light Up Lakewood Festival King and Queen.

The parade will be followed by a street fair, with numerous street performers, an outdoor showing of “that famous reindeer movie” at the library, street hockey and food including gyros, funnel cake and kettle corn.

At , hundreds of residents lined Detroit Avenue to see trolleys strolling the streets, carolers caroling and drama students performing a “living windows” act in an empty storefront.

Light Up Lakewood is made possible by more than 25 of community groups and organizations in Lakewood — including LakewoodAlive in collaboration with the , , Lakewood Public Library, , , Lakewood Center North Building, H2O Volunteers and sponsored by Lakewood Hospital, Coral Company, Target, Panera Bread and Kidd Productions.

“Collaboration with those who share the goal of an economically stable and progressive community is what sets Lakewood apart and keeps Lakewood strong,” said LakewoodAlive Director .