Not to be outdone by downtown Rochester’s now-famous Christmas lights, downtown Oxford’s going to promote itself this holiday season by displaying a giant set of ornaments in Centennial Park all December long.
‘We’re trying to create an attraction for people to come see throughout the month of December,? said Carolyn Bennett, executive director of the Oxford Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Dubbed ‘Ornaments of Oxford,? the attraction will feature a giant red, ball-shaped fiberglass ornament, six feet in diameter surrounded by three finial-shaped red ornaments, each nearly three-feet tall.
‘Many communities have themes,? she explained. ‘Lansing has silver bells. Rochester has big, bright lights. Oxford will have ornaments.?
The owners of 33 N. Washington Street, Tim Lyon and Steve Wood, of L&W Design, came up with the name for the new holiday attraction.
‘I wanted to call it Oxford Ornament Days, but they suggested ‘Ornaments of Oxford? and it sounds so much better,? Bennett said. ‘We like the alliteration.?
Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth is supplying the six-foot ornament, which will have the words ‘Ornaments of Oxford? painted on it.
‘I happened to be in Frankenmuth a couple weeks ago and I saw this giant (ornament) and I thought, ‘Oh my god, that’s it!,? Bennett said. ‘It’s supposed to be delivered the last week of November.?
The three smaller ornaments arrived Nov. 1 from Santa’s Quarters, a Christmas decorations company based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
To help promote Ornaments of Oxford, downtown businesses will be giving away chocolates from Morley Candy Makers imprinted with the DDA logo and wrapped in red foil.