Chris Holman welcomes back Mindy Biladeau, VP of Sales and Services, Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA), Lansing, MI. Watch Mindy and Chris discuss several points about next month’s kick off to the 2023 holiday season for Michigan in the YouTube video shared below:
In the conversation, Chris looked to find out several things from Mindy:
Welcome back Mindy, remind the statewide audience about Silver Bells, what it is, how long it has been going on?
Tell us about the Grand Marshal and Tree Lighting performer?
What do we know about this year’s State Christmas Tree?
How big is the electric light parade expected to be this year?
Fireworks? Drones? or Both?
Tell us about Silver Bells village?
LEPFA also shared a press release about this year’s event:
Silver Bells in the City: Lansing’s Beloved Holiday Tradition Returns with Grand Marshal India Graham and a Tree Lighting Performance by Grace West
LANSING, MI – Lansing’s favorite holiday tradition, Silver Bells in the City, kicks off the Michigan’s holiday season and promises to be bigger and brighter than ever.
Presented by the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing, Silver Bells in the City is a cherished tradition for 39 years for all Michigan families.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, November 17
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Downtown Lansing
Attracting more than 40,000 people to Michigan’s capital city, this unforgettable evening of holiday magic features the ever-popular Electric Light Parade with Lansing’s own India Graham serving as Grand Marshal. The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from the corner of Lenawee Street and South Washington Square. More than 70 units, special guests, and several high school marching bands, will sparkle with thousands of lights as they make their way through the streets of downtown Lansing.
Lansing native India M. Graham is a divine spiritual being who strives to live every day in alignment with her true self and the Universe. She has dedicated her life’s journey to being a vessel of God by spreading the knowledge of self and practicing self-love daily. After graduating from Eastern High School in Lansing, she attended Pace University in New York City. Graham began her modeling career in 2016 after winning a modeling competition in partnership with IMG New York and W Magazine. Since then, Graham has been traveling the world as a fashion model and has done work for Adidas, Allure Magazine, Crest, Tiffany and Co., Maybelline and more. In between photoshoots, she spends her time back home with family, crafting, reading, gaming, and running her production company; India’s Arcade.
Following the parade, the festivities continue with the annual state Christmas tree lighting and community sing led by Grace West. West captured second place on season 23 of NBC’s The Voice with her unique sound that blended her Michigan roots with southern living as a modern country-pop artist. Music has been a mainstay in her life from the gospel songs in her church choir to the Motown classics that played throughout her Detroit-area home. After signing her first publishing deal as a teenager, West relocated to Nashville after graduation to continue her music career which, ultimately, led to the audition on NBC’s The Voice. As Blake Shelton’s last button push ever, he calls her “The real deal.” She went on to highlight her “pure” vocals and her love for the country music genre throughout the season.
Announced yesterday, the 36th official state Christmas tree selected by the State of Michigan Department of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB) is a beautiful 60-foot spruce that will be harvested from Onaway located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Onaway resident Vic Ruppert and his family donated the tree in honor of his late wife Shirley Ruppert. This is the first tree from Presque Isle County.
After West’s performance, the sky will be aglow as 200 drones perform a Firefly Drone Light Show choreographed to music. Then a stunning firework display over the capitol marks the evening’s grand finale.
The Silver Bells Village, located on the 100 block of East Allegan Street between South Washington Square and Grand Avenue, offers attendees the opportunity to start their holiday shopping, enjoy refreshments or purchase a Silver Bells commemorative ornament. The Village features unique gifts and treats from vendors from across Michigan.
The 2023 commemorative Silver Bells ornament is proudly created in Lansing, Michigan by artist Tiffany Marie of La Fille Gallery. Each ornament is handcrafted and signed. Ornaments can be purchased online at www.silverbellsinthecity.org, for $28 each.
Throughout the entire event, local performers provide entertainment throughout the downtown. Visit https://silverbellsinthecity.com/events#downtown-entertainment for the complete schedule.
If you cannot attend in person, FOX 47 and local Comcast Channel 12 broadcast Silver Bells live from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with hosts Bob Hoffman, Mark Buzzitta, and Tianna Jenkins.
After an evening of fun at Silver Bells in the City, a 5K Race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. Participants can run or walk the 5K marked course in downtown Lansing. All finishers receive medals, a commemorative bib, and a long-sleeve tee. There will also be a costume contest. Register for the Silver Bells 5K Race at www.runsignup.com/silverbells.
Race presenters are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Care Network with support from AF Group, Dean, Metronet, and Planet Fitness.
Silver Bells in the City is coordinated by the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority and several volunteers.
Many sponsors help to make this annual event possible, including:
Presenting sponsors
• Lansing Board of Water & Light
• City of Lansing
Electric Light Parade sponsors
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 665
• Lansing Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association
Community Sings sponsor
• Choose Lansing
Christmas tree lighting sponsor
• Granger Waste Services
Fireworks sponsor
• LaFontaine Lansing
Drone light show sponsor
• Lansing Board of Water & Light
Firework sponsor
• Lake Trust Credit Union
Broadcast sponsors
• Capital Steel & Wire
• Delta Dental
• Mercantile Bank
• Tripp’s Collision
Silver Bells 5K presenting sponsor
• Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Care Network
Silver Bells 5K supporting sponsors
• AF Group
• Dean
• Metronet
• Planet Fitness
Media partners
• Lansing Public Media Center
• Lansing State Journal
• FOX 47 WSYM
• Q106 FM
Gold Bell sponsor
• Adams Outdoor Advertising
• Arts Council of Greater Lansing
• Ingham County
• M3 Group
Bronze Bell sponsors
• CATA
• Ciesa
• City Pulse
• Foster Swift Collins & Smith
• General Motors
• MSUFCU
Brass Bell sponsors
• 1800PitClean
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• BRD Printing
• Comerica Bank
• DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing
• EDGE
• Effect TV
• Eyde Development
• First National Bank of Michigan
• Hager Fox Heating & Air Conditioning
• High-Ball Crane
• Lansing Community College
• Manitou Pontoon Boats
• Marshall Music
• MWC
• 101.7 Mike FM
• Power 96.5
• Sparrow
Jingle Bell sponsors
• Capital City Market
• Capital Region International Airport
• Delux Tents & Events
• Dickinson Wright PLLC
• Gillespie Group
• Lansing Economic Area Partnership
• McLaren Greater Lansing
• Media Advantage
• Michigan Department of Technology Management & Budget
• Michigan Retailers Association
• Northside Service Inc.
• Pro-Soil Site Services Inc.
• Sound EFX
• Summit Electrical Contractors
Sleigh Bell sponsors
• Michigan State Capitol Commission
• Sohn Linen
Join Michiganders for the 39th annual Silver Bells in the City on Friday, Nov. 17. For more information, visit www.silverbellsinthecity.org or follow-on social media at facebook.com/SilverBellsInTheCity
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