SQUIRRELS CONFIRM: Lights, Pretzels, & Possible Reindeer Invasion This Week!

Bronbus Quitley’s Guide to Not Missing Out (Or, What’s Happening This Week!)

Okay, okay, settle down folks! Bronbus Quitley here, your friendly neighborhood purveyor of… well, information! And boy, do I have information for you this week! It’s a whirlwind of sparkly lights, jolly feelings, and possibly a rogue reindeer or two – though I haven’t confirmed the reindeer sighting yet. Still working on that. They're surprisingly elusive, you know? Faster than you'd think for an animal with antlers.

But enough about mythical beasts (for now)! Let’s get down to brass tacks, or, uh, twinkling lights. This week is absolutely packed with things to do! It started yesterday, the 15th, with a glorious explosion of Christmas cheer at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park! They're doing all sorts of things, and I heard a rumor (a very reliable rumor, mind you, from a squirrel I know) that they’ve trained the sculptures to sing carols. Don’t quote me on that last part.

And speaking of lights! LMCU Ballpark is currently transformed into a dazzling wonderland with the Christmas Lite Show! It runs all the way 'til January 3rd, which is plenty of time to see it… twelve times! I plan to, personally. Need to memorize all the patterns for… research purposes. Very important research. It involves glow-in-the-dark pigeons, trust me.

Still at Meijer Gardens, you absolutely must check out ENLIGHTEN Presented by PNC Bank. It's like… imagine if Christmas and outer space had a baby. A very sparkly, illuminated baby. They say it's powered by actual stardust! I haven’t verified this, but it sounds plausible, doesn’t it?

Now, get this, on the 17th – that’s this Tuesday, folks! – the Grand Rapids Downtown Market is morphing into a proper, old-world CHRISTKINDL MARKT! Think charming little booths, delicious treats… they even import the snow directly from the North Pole! (Okay, maybe not directly. It’s probably from Canada. But it’s close enough!) Runs all the way 'til the 23rd, so you’ve got time to stock up on authentic German pretzels. I’m told they’re excellent for attracting garden gnomes. Don’t ask.

And if you're already thinking ahead (good for you!), remember the Amway Grand Plaza is gearing up for New Year’s Eve Ballroom Bashes on the 31st! Get your dancing shoes ready! I’m hoping they’ll let me lead the conga line. I’ve been practicing my moves, and let me tell you, I’m a natural.

So there you have it! A whirlwind tour of the wonderful things happening this week! Don't just sit around, folks! Get out there, enjoy the sparkle, and maybe, just maybe, keep an eye out for that reindeer. You never know!