DETROIT – A group of community members is hard at work in a small warehouse in Detroit.
They are busy designing, building, and painting larger-than-life replicas of Nutcracker Soldier statues that will be used in the 2024 Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival.
Each Nutcracker Soldier statue will stand 12’ tall.
“I was with Brightmoor last year, and we put together so much stuff,” said artist Chris Gillam. “It was incredible.”
Organizers are planning an inclusive holiday celebration when the event kicks off Dec. 18 at the Etheldra Mae Williams Park off W. Outer Drive.
However, there is one big challenge right now. The group is working to build 20 of the 12’ tall Nutcracker Soldiers for this year’s festival. They will be part of the giant Nutcracker Garden display.
Organizers said they could use more volunteers to help complete the task.
“Everything we do is free to the community,” said Michael Willaims, Manager of the Williams Park Alliance. “So, we need people to come out and help us. People who come out and who love the community, who want to see this flourish and want to see it thrive.”
Participants said the Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival is one way to revitalize a neglected community. Neighbors said bringing together volunteers to help in that mission is a plus.
“If you have some creativity, if you have artistic ability or design abilities, you can create one of these magnificent sculptures or one of these nutcracker soldiers,” Williams said.
The volunteers are using repurposed materials to help build the statues. A competition for the best Nutcracker soldier design is inspiring interest across the community.
“I’m in a neighboring community to Brightmoor,” said Amy Oaks of North Rosedale Park. “We’re trying to associate our neighborhoods a little more closely. Like the whole corridor down Grand River.”
Oaks is fine-tuning her design, as is Rutanie Robinson, a Metro Detroit artist and owner of Little Tink’s Mobile Painting Service.
She’s challenging Detroiters to lend a hand to help make the Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival a success.
“A creative mind is a terrible thing to waste,” Robinson said. “So, don’t waste it. Get up and do something. Come on, guys. Come on down.”
The Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival will be held from Dec. 18 to Jan. 3, 2025. It will feature a variety of ornaments and decorations hand-built by community members.
There will also be a living nativity, symbols of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas on display.
For more information about the Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival, or if you’re interested in volunteering, contact Michael Williams at 313-694-6873.