Big Changes Coming to Some Downtown Farmington Events in 2013

Farmington Downtown Development Authority board members approve a plan that reduces the number of Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market days in 2013.

Farmington Downtown Development Authority board members shot down a staff proposal Monday that would have closed the Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market season on the last Saturday in October in 2013.  The market was open through the end of November this year.  But officials approved a plan that cuts three market days next year, the last two in November and one during the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival. Events planner Janet Bloom said the market lost more than $1,000 in sponsorships in 2012, including a music sponsor and one for the Farmington Fit program, which launched in 2011. However, the number of on-site sponsors jumped from three to nine, generating $5,200 to support the Saturday event, which ran this year from May through…

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Did You Get a Picture With Santa?

Share your photos from Saturday's Holly Days celebration in downtown Farmington.

Santa arrived just a little early in downtown Farmington Saturday and listened to children's wishes for hours from his post at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion. Families waited in lines that wrapped around the building from before noon until late afternoon.  Do you have a photo taken with Santa? Share it in our gallery, by clicking the "Upload Photos and Video" button. 

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Farmington Area Weekend Holiday Events Include Santa, Free Movies and More

Celebrate Holly Days in downtown Farmington or catch the opening weekend of "1940s Radio Hour" at Farmington Players.

A busy holiday weekend is on tap in Farmington and Farmington Hills, and we've got a full calendar of activities that begin with the opening of a new play at the Farmington Players Barn in Farmington Hills.  Browse through the photos above to learn about weekend events, then click on the links below for more information: Check our calendar for more activities, classes and events happening today and throughout the week. If your event isn't listed, feel free to add it.

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What You Need to Know About Farmington Area Dec. 1 Holiday Extravaganza

Saturday activities and events include a Gifts and Greens Market, Santa visits, stories, crafts, tree lighting and much more.

If you don't have the holiday spirit after Saturday, it won't be for lack of opportunities to find it.  Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch has your guide to a wide range of activities and events happening in Farmington and Farmington Hills on Dec. 1, from Holly Days to a Kwanzaa celebration. And if you see an event we missed, let us know in the comments!  Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast and a visit with Santa, then stay for a family craft time. Cost for breakfast is $5, $3 for ages 5-12 and free for kids under age 5. There's a $5 per family fee for craft materials. 8 a.m. Orchard United Methodist Church, 30450 Farmington Rd., Farmington Hills. There will be three seatings for this Swedish breakfast, featuring coffee, tea, fruit soup, …

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

What Do You Think About Downtown Farmington's New Holiday Decor?

Patrons of September's Harvest Moon celebration raised funds for the new lights and other trimmings.

Remember the money you spent at Walkers Tavern during Founders Festival so that downtown Farmington would have new holiday lights and decorations?  The $10,000 raised through Saturday night cover charges is on full display along Grand River, and we'd like to know what you think about the snowflakes atop the street lamps, the Santa mailbox and other trimmings. Take our poll, or leave your thoughts in a comment below.  Once you've shared your opinion, browse through our list of events going on today, as well as those later in the week that require registration or a ticket purchase.  Check our calendar for more activities, classes and events happening today and throughout the week. If your event isn't listed, feel free to add it. Correction: …

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Michael Ritenour

9:32 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012

As Scrooge's nephew Fred so aptly stated: "And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of silver or gold in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"   more ›

Downtown Farmington Celebrates Holly Days Dec. 1

Santa and Mrs. Claus, free movies and a tree lighting ceremony are all part of the Dec. 1 event.

A Greens and Gifts Market, holiday crafts and stories and a visit from Santa are all part of the Holly Days celebration, held Dec. 1 in and around downtown Farmington.  Kids of all ages will enjoy a visit with Santa from noon to 4 p.m. at the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion. Focal Point Studio of Photography will offer free photos with Santa. Students from Oakland Community College Culinary Studies Institute will offer an ice carving demonstration at noon, and families can leave new pairs of socks and mittens on the Tree of Wishes, for donation to a local charity.  The Mike Greer Photography Studio at 33316 Grand River becomes Santa’s Workshop from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with a Kids Holiday Craft Area, free gift wrapping, refreshments and story time…

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Farmington DDA Events Lose Money; New Holiday Decorations on the Way

Even though sponsorship losses cut into expected profits, officials say they'll follow through on a commitment to use funds for new lights and banners.

Farmington city treasurer Chris Weber delivered some bad news to Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board members Monday.  While the numbers aren't final, Weber said, this year's events have thus far lost $13,499. He said the Farmers and Artisans Market, Founders Festival and Rhythmz in Riley Park all made money, while Art on the Grand, Harvest Moon and Holly Days lost money.  Weber said budget projections called for events to add $19,600 to the DDA's budget; instead, they are now projected to cost the organization a total of $34,890.  DDA executive director Annette Knowles said "the single largest factor" in the losses were sponsorships. A few weeks before Founders Festival, for instance, Meijer cut its $30,000 sponsorship in…

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Lighted Winter Parade on Farmington DDA's 2013 Events List

Events planner Janet Bloom said the new event is one of only a few changes to next year's events calendar.

Imagine a parade of lights moving down Grand River through downtown Farmington to help kick off the annual Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Holly Days celebration. DDA events planner Janet Bloom has had that picture in her mind ever since she came to Farmington in 2009. Next year, it's finally going to happen.  Bloom presented Farmington city officials with information about the Holly Days lighted parade, slated Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, and other 2013 events, during Monday's city council meeting.  "We're trying to get a head start on planning for next year so that we can maximize our planning cycle potential and our sponsorship potential," said DDA director Annette Knowles, who also provided a quarterly update.  Bloom said the DDA has …

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