KALAMAZOO/PORTAGE (WKZO) — There were some holiday events on Saturday in Kalamazoo and Portage for kids of all ages.
This year the 10th annual Candy Cane Hunt made a move from downtown to Homer Stryker Field. Something else that is new this year was a partnership with Toys for Tots. Parents were asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate.
There were 5-thousand candy canes hidden around the ballpark for children to find, seasonal music, arts and crafts and visits with Santa.
Portage held their annual Holiday kickoff celebration twith the Tree Lighting Ceremonies near City Hall and the Portage Library.
Then ieveryone followed a horse draw carriage and carolers down Portage Bicentennial Trail to Celery flats where there were several Musical Performances, hot apple cider and hot chocolate and another chance for the kids to confer with Santa.
There was also a reading of the winners from this year’s “I Love Portage” essay contest.
City Council Members screened 375 Essays and picked these winners
.First Place
Elise Dimick, 4th Grade, Central Elementary
Carson Horton, 5th Grade, Lake Center Elementary
1st Runners Up
Nikita Pai, 3rd Grade, Haverhill Elementary
Zoe Whelham, 5th Grade, 12th Street Elementary
Honorable Mention
Hrishi Belagali, 4th Grade, Central Elementary, Nolan Danapilis, 4th Grade, Central Elementary, Lydia Hinga, 4th Grade, Moorsbridge Elementary, Elise Martinson, 4th Grade, Moorsbridge Elementary, Ravi Patel, 5th Grade, Lake Center Elementary, Layna Smith, 5th Grade, Lake Center Elementary, Brandon Theobald, 5th Grade, Lake Center Elementary, Mackenzie Urban, 4th Grade, Central Elementary, Theo Yang, 4-year-old Preschool, Curious Kids, Hailey Yost, 3rd Grade, Haverhill Elementary.
All the winning essays can be viewed on the city website at www.portagemi.gov.
