Dearborn’s Jingle Bell Bash offers festive fun

 

By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers

DEARBORN – Jingle Bell Bash, hosted Dec. 14 by the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority at the west side PEACE Park, featured s’more making, children’s activities, entertainment, ice carving and more.

The Dearborn Schools Honors Choir and disc jockey Baby Jewels provided music, while face painting and temporary tattoos, inflatable games and crafts provided entertainment.

Bayt Al Mocha provided free hot beverages and hors d’oeuvres, while “Frozen” characters Anna and Elsa greeted their young fans.

Artisan ice carver Clinton Rich of Commerce Township said he does ice carving year-round for events like weddings, birthdays and showers, as well as fulfilling orders from event planners and country clubs.

He said he usually only carves ice sculptures at outdoor events during the winter months.

“Sometimes we come out in the summer for a few places, but everything else is done in our shop and then delivered,” Rich said.

He said it takes about three-and-a-half days to freeze a block of ice prior to carving.

Rich said he uses a chain saw, die grinder, angle grinder and chisels to carve an ice creation.

“Sometimes people ask, ‘Is that real ice?’” he said with a grin.

Economic Development Director Jordan Twardy also had reason to smile, given the second annual Jingle Bell Bash’s large turnout.

He credits the strong team Mayor Abdullah Hammoud assembled to help ensure the success of events like the Jingle Bell Bash.

“This is all in-house staff that work for the city and with the city, and just really throw the passion into it every single day,” Twardy said. “We want everyone to feel welcome in our walkable downtown, and we’ve heard a lot from our residents that they want stuff to do with their kids and with their family members, so we are trying to deliver with this.”

He said he’s been in his field for quite a while, and he is pleased to have a strong team that is able to put together events like this.

“Everybody has fun with it, and seeing people and the businesses have a good time, it just makes it worth it,” Twardy said.

He said he hopes to see more citywide events in the PEACE Parks, which he said were designed with versatility in mind.

“The capacity is there, and it’s just about the imagination,” Twardy said. “So, we try to do as much as we can within our budget, and we let the community join us for the rest.”