The 5th Annual Merry Mile at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds is possibly the most perfect event during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as people drive through the fairgrounds from the safety of their vehicles. Social distancing at its finest.
On Friday, Nov. 27, the tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. and people can view that virtually online on the Calhoun County Fairgrounds Facebook page. The event itself will open to the public for a preview weekend right after the Lighting Ceremony at about 6:30 p.m. on the 27th. On Saturday, Nov. 28 it will be open from 6-9 p.m.
From Dec. 3-27, the Merry Mile will be open Thursday through Sunday from 6-9 p.m. The cost is $10 per carload, and Merry Mile organizers say it is the perfect answer to pandemic-holiday blues as you stay in your car, all warm and safe, while enjoying the holiday lights of the Merry Mile!
“We’ve added a lot to it this year,” said organizer Harmony Dawson who came up with the idea for the Merry Mile. “We have had so many volunteers this year, and that’s been really helpful to me.” Dawson added that with so much holiday season things closed or not offered this holiday season, the Merry Mile is perfect for holiday fun as motorists snake through the fairgrounds on the one-mile path.
“With COVID, there’s just not a lot of stuff going on,” said Dawson. “The Merry Mile is something people can bring their family to.” In a recent survey out of Grand Rapids, the Merry Mile made the Top 10 list of Best Drive Through Christmas Lights for 2020 in Michigan. And in a holiday twist due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 56th Annual Marshall Christmas Parade will be much different this year as it will be held Monday. Nov. 30 at the fairgrounds with cars driving through the Merry Mile to see the floats, decorations and of course, Santa Claus. The parade is free and will run from 6-9 p.m.
“Even though the parade is free we will be accepting donations to the fairgrounds as people first enter,” said Dawson, who added that she thinks the traffic will be “bumper to bumper” on the 30th and asked people to not all show up right when the event starts at 6 p.m. “Our family is planning to come out around 8 p.m., so maybe a little later would be better to come out.”
Dawson said setting up the Merry Mile is feat onto itself as close to $10,000 worth of extension cords were purchased in order to light up the fairgrounds.
“When my husband Brent and our family decided to move here, we thought this would be something beautiful to have here during the winter when there are no events at the fairgrounds,” said Dawson, who noted that so many in the community have volunteered their time. “This is really a community event. So many people and organizations have made contributions to make this year’s event the best ever.” Added Cindy Thomas, who has worked on the Merry Mile: “I feel really blessed that so many people have come out to help us. It’s been wonderful with about 75 volunteers.” Dawson said because of the many volunteers and more lights, this year feels like the first year all over again.
“It has had a boost of energy this year,” said Dawson. “Maybe it’s because so many people missed out on the fair, but we’ve had several 4-H members out here helping put up lights. I think maybe the just missed those hours that they would usually commit to the fair and instead committed those hours to the Merry Mile.”
The fairgrounds that usually bustled with activity throughout the year has been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. This event, said organizers, helps bring in much needed revenue for the fairgrounds as well as letting people enjoy the season in complete safety. People are urged to go to www.calhouncountyfairgounds.com for the up-to-date event list to know when Santa will make his visits and the live nativity will be in place.
Dawson noted that in a year that has challenged us all, not only will the Merry Mile bring our families safely together in celebration of the holidays but it will also help us to sustain one of our county’s greatest treasures, the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. Calhoun County Fairgrounds Manager Jen Rice said the event will be a boost to the fairgrounds. “Your fairgrounds consists of nearly 65 acres and 22 buildings”, said Rice. “As you can imagine, without our events this year, we have a large physical footprint to care for with no revenue stream. The revenue from this year’s Merry Mile will help us to survive this difficult year and look forward to a bright future…This year’s Merry Mile will be bigger and better than ever.”
Throughout December, the Merry Mile at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds will be open Thursday through Sunday from 6-9 p.m.