Eastown Holiday Tree Lighting Party: A tiny creative act builds community within a city neighborhood

Let’s raise a toast to those in our neighborhoods who perform little acts of kindness with a dash of creativity. 

One such example is that last year, Eastown’s Harmony Brewing Company decided that due to their prime location in Eastown, they would put up a tree and then host a neighborhood tree lighting.

And with no big fanfare but with a lot of love for their community, a new tradition was born the moment the lights were activated on their Christmas tree. 

For 2019, the Eastown Holiday Tree Lighting Party has moved to the same night, as the annual Uptown Holiday Shop Hop 2019 — offering this area business and others who are joining them — to celebrate this new tradition on a night when a lot of folks will be welcomed to participate.

The night will feature plenty of festive activities, hot cocoa and cookies from the Eastown Community Association, live music provided by Triumph Music Academy, and a chance to imbibe in the release of Harmony’s anticipated seasonal “Los Conejos Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout.”

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with the tree being lit at 7:30 p.m. by Grand Rapids’ Second Ward Commissioner Ruth Kelly, who is term-limited out and exiting at the end of this year. 

Folks are also asked to be a part of the tree decorating and so please feel free to bring an ornament for the tree that represents your household’s celebration of the holiday season.

Musicians scheduled to appear on this night include Hannah Laine, Chris Bota, Nuri Mikal Tett, and Mike Schertenlieb.

This is a free event and provides a priceless community-building holiday experience for all who will attend.