Santa’s Magic Forest was canceled for the second consecutive year due to COVID-19.
TAYLOR — Santa’s Magic Forest will not be part of the holiday season for the second straight year.
Officials confirmed this week that the event, usually housed in the Activities Building in Heritage Park, will remain on hiatus, due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
“Santa’s Magic Forest is housed in a confined space,” said the Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas, president of the Downriver Fish & Loaves Food Pantry Board of Directors. “There is still a fear of a spike in COVID, and there have been no firm decisions made on vaccinations for children, who are a big part of our attendees. We are hopeful that by next year, the event will be able to return.”
Santa’s Magic Forest is a mainstay of the holiday season in Taylor, and is widely known as Downriver’s finest holiday display. It has been open annually starting on Thanksgiving weekend — during the Taylor Winterfest — and runs through Christmas. The winter wonderland includes hundreds of animated characters — many of which came from the old J.L. Hudson downtown Christmas display — dozens of Christmas scenes and holiday light displays. Visitors always have an opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Santa’s Magic Forest is also the largest fund-raiser for the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry. The organization is a nonprofit organization at 25670 Northline Road. It provides food and nourishment to families in need in Taylor and surrounding communities.
The Taylor Winterfest, scheduled for Nov. 27, remains on this year’s schedule. While it is still in the planning process, it will kick off with the Taylor Goodfellows’ 5K Run in the morning. In the late afternoon, the Winterfest Parade will march down Goddard and Pardee roads to Heritage Park. The city’s official tree-lighting will take place in the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion before fireworks tentatively cap off the day.
Other holiday-related events returning to the schedule this year include Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 11, Lakes of Taylor) and Reindeer Days (Dec. 11 and 12, Heritage Park Petting Farm).