Haslett, Mich., resident Skylar Mims, 7, gestures to family members at the start of the parade during Silver Bells on Nov. 23, 2013, in downtown Lansing. Community members gathered from across the greater Lansing area to view the lighting of the tree. Danyelle Morrow/The State News
The annual Silver Bells in the City celebration brought thousands of people to downtown Lansing on Friday with a parade and a Christmas tree lighting, ushering in the holiday season.
The event, which has been a tradition since 1985, features a parade with floats from local businesses and organizations, as well as well as 11 high school marching bands.
Each of the 61 floats had a 5,000 light requirement, giving viewers a spectacular show throughout the chilly evening.
After the parade, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero lit the tree in front of the Capitol building.
The tree lighting was followed by a nine-minute fireworks show over the Capitol building and a concert from IM5, a five-person boy band known for its covers of pop and R&B music.
Silver Bells was well attended by Lansing residents, but the crowd had an MSU presence as well.
“I thought it was awesome,” communication sophomore Colleen McBride said. “It was really cool, and something different to do before the holidays.”
McBride had never been to Silver Bells but said she likely will make it a yearly tradition.
“My favorite part was the fireworks,” she said. “They were beautiful over the Capitol.”
The festival has grown since it started in 1985.
In 1988, an estimated 5,000 people went to the festival, and the 25th anniversary in 2009 had a record 150,000 people in attendance. Last year, about 130,000 people attended.
The state tree that was lit was a 71-foot-tall Blue Spruce from Iron River, keeping with the trend of state trees being from the Upper Peninsula.
Throughout the event’s history, 19 trees have been from the Upper Peninsula, while only nine have been from the Lower Peninsula.
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