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    • Silver Bells is on Friday. Here’s what you need to know about activities, parking and traffic
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    Silver Bells is on Friday. Here’s what you need to know about activities, parking and traffic

    Online Niel Posted on

    LANSING — It’s almost time for Silver Bells in the City, the annual downtown parade and light show that usually draws the city’s largest crowd of the year.

    The annual Friday night celebration includes a parade, drone show and lighting of the state Christmas tree in front of the capitol building, among other activities.

    The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors downtown, which can snarl up traffic and parking even without a multitude of street closures to allow for the event.

    Here’s what you need to know about the event and how to navigate it and get the best Silver Bells experience.

    When is Silver Bells?

    The main event, including the parade and tree lighting, is on Friday, but it’s actually a two-day event. Here is the schedule:

    • 17:00 – 21:00: Silver Bells Village, with a Ornament Silver bells for the 40th anniversary30 vendors and seven food trucks.
    • 6 p.m.: The 27th annual Parade of Lights begins at Lenawee Street and Washington Square with 70 entries, including 11 marching bands. Paralympic silver medalist Jayci Simon of St. Johns is scheduled to be the parade marshal. You can pick up light strips from one of around 15 stations in the city centre. The bracelets will light up in sync with the music during the event.
    • 7:25 p.m.: Christmas tree lighting, a 60-foot spruce donated by Residents Eagle Rich and Dorcas Albertson.
    • 7:30 p.m.: Community Sings, featuring American Idol star David Archuleta.
    • 19:35: Light show with drones.
    • 7:50 p.m.: Fireworks over the Capitol building.

    Saturday:

    Sensory experiences available

    For people who want a less intense experience, there will be a portion of the parade route with typically smaller crowds at the end of the route on Capitol Avenue between Washtenaw and Hillsdale streets.

    There will be sensory maps showing where the big lights and sounds will come from, especially near the state Capitol grounds, where fireworks and a drone show will be concentrated but visible for miles.

    There is a sensory room available at Grewal Hall, 224 S. Washington Square. No registration required. There will also be alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Grewal Hall is open from 5pm to 9pm and is wheelchair accessible.

    Beware of road closures

    From Wednesday to Saturday: North Capitol Avenue will be closed from Michigan Avenue to Ottawa Street for the Showmobile.

    Starting Friday through Saturday at noon: Allegan Street was closed between Washington Square and Grand Avenue for Silver Bells Village. Lane restrictions begin.

    Closed for Silver Bells events, Friday: (Actual start times will vary, posted times are approximate.)

    • Capitol Boulevard southbound from Lenawee Street to Joseph Street – 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
    • Washington Avenue from St. Joseph Street at Lenawee Street – 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m
    • Hillsdale Street from Capitol Avenue to Grand Avenue – 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m
    • Southbound Grand Avenue from Kalamazoo Street to Hillsdale Street – 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m
    • South Capitol Avenue from Ottawa Street to Michigan Avenue – 3:45 p.m. – 10 p.m
    • Allegan Street at South Capitol Avenue – 3:50 to 10 p.m
    • Capitol Avenue southbound from Kalamazoo to St. Joseph – 3:55 p.m. to 10:00 p.m
    • Washington Square from Lenawee Street to Ottawa Street – 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    • Michigan Avenue at Grand Avenue – 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m
    • Ottawa Street from Grand Avenue to Seymour Avenue – 5:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m
    • Washtenaw Street between Townsend Street and Grand Avenue – 4:30 – 8:30 p.m
    • Lenawee Street, between Capitol Avenue and Grand Avenue – 4:30 – 8:15 p.m
    • Kalamazoo Street between Townsend Street and Grand Avenue – 4:30 – 8:15 p.m
    • Allegan Street between Pine Street and Washington Square – 5:30 to 8:45 p.m
    • Washtenaw Street between Pine and Walnut Streets – 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
    • Walnut Street between Washtenaw and Ottawa Streets – 5:30 – 9:30 p.m
    • Lane restrictions on Ottawa Street between Walnut Sand Pine streets – noon to 9:30 p.m
    • Lane restrictions on Kalamazoo Street west of Grand Avenue – noon to 9:30 p.m
    • Lane restrictions on northbound Washington Boulevard from West Malcolm X Street to St. Joseph Street – 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m

    Where do I park?

    • Free parking begins at 4:00 PM in Michigan State Surface Lots: Allegan and Library Visitor Lots, Elliott-Larsen Lot (not Executive Lot), Allegan, Ottawa, Butler and Pine.
    • Free parking begins at 5:00 PM at the State of Michigan Roosevelt ramp. The lot will not be dismissed until around 20:30, following the fireworks show.
    • Parking in City of Lansing parking ramps (North Capitol, North Grand and South Capitol) or surface lots available for a flat fee of $5.
    • Parking is available on Musuem Drive after 4pm for $10. Proceeds will benefit the Riverwalk Theatre.

    Contact Mike Ellis at [email protected] or 517-267-0415

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