Portage Rings in the Holiday Season with First Ever Christmas Festival in Founder’s Square

Portage Rings in the Holiday Season with First Ever Christmas Festival in Founder’s Square

The Portage Christmas Festival and the Kiwanis Club’s Toys for Tots Friendsgiving “Linner” was held at Fountain Square this year, where the police and fire departments' annual festivities were connected Founder's Square Park for the first time.

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“It’s going really well,” said Marcia Jones, administrative assistant to the Portage Mayor's Office, “We used to do our parade down Willowcreek to Gilbert Park, but since we have this beautiful Police Department and Fire Station in Founder's Square we thought we’d move down here and expand on it.”

The event kicked off with carriage rides around the park. Officer Joe Mokol read his book “Elf on the Bottom Shelf,” to a group of excited kids, with the unlit tree ready to shine behind him.

“I hope the kids take that Christmas is about giving,” Officer Mokol said his book.

Everyone joined in when it came to counting down to the lighting of the Christmas Tree. The 26-foot tree stands in the lobby of the police department, for the whole community to enjoy.

Everyone made their way to the amphitheater, where choraliers sang and danced to Christmas music. Kids danced along while their families enjoyed the show.

Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance, and festival goers were able to photograph their kids on Santa’s lap. Many of the kids let Santa know what they wanted for Christmas.