The Dearborn Public Schools’ Early Learning Coalition offers a craft area Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – The city’s Jingle Bell Bash, featuring Santa and family-friendly fun, drew families to PEACE Park West Dec. 13 despite the cold weather.
Santa arrived in one of the Dearborn Historical Museum’s Model T automobiles with a police escort leading the way, and quickly drew a line of families eager to meet with St. Nick and his assisting elf.
Santa travels to Dearborn’s PEACE Park West not by sleigh, but in one of the Dearborn Historical Museum’s Model T automobiles on Dec. 13 for the city’s Jingle Bell Bash.
In the retail courtyard north of the PEACE Park, the museum set up its putt-putt golf course for guests to enjoy.
As attendees entered the park, they received information and hand-warmer packets.
A unique cold weather bubble machine produced opaque white orbs near the park entrance which, when they popped, released a puff of vapor.
Two inflatable game areas offered fun for children: a safe axe-throwing area with inflatable “weapons” with Velcro attachments, and another with football, soccer and basketball skill-challenges.
A disc jockey provided a holiday-themed musical backdrop near a red and white balloon-festooned stage.
A caricature artist captured images of bundled up children on his easel, while nearby, Mocha House served hot beverages and doughnuts to appreciative guests.
The Dearborn Public Library offered a button-making station for children, while an ornament artist created holiday magic nearby.
A face painter decorated youngsters’ faces, the only areas not covered by layers of warm clothing.
The Dearborn Public Schools Early Learning Coalition offered a craft area, where students decorated stockings, tote bags and ornaments with a bright array of markers.
Nearby, a Kalopeiron audio-visual experience created by artist Two Eagles Marcus provided a colorful reflective photo opportunity as participants were surrounded by brightly changing colors and images of themselves above, below and to their sides.
The city’s Christmas tree provided a popular spot for families to take photos.
The next citywide event in PEACE Park West, Winter Warm-Up, takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 with fire pits, s’mores and hot chocolate.
In addition, the interactive Wanderlights exhibit runs through Feb. 20, providing a festive, family-friendly display.
The Kalopeiron offers an audio-visual experience and photo opportunity Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
Children engage in inflatable axe throwing Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash in PEACE Park West.
Children enjoy a sports skill gaming area Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
A cold weather bubble machine creates floating orbs that release a puff of mist in the cold air Dec. 13 during Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
Santa greets guests Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
Despite the cold, face-painting is offered Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
Above and below, the Dearborn Public Schools’ Early Learning Coalition offers a craft area Dec. 13 during the city’s Jingle Bell Bash at PEACE Park West.
