Adrian's Comstock Christmas Riverwalk is now all lit for the holiday season

ADRIAN — Now it can be said that the holidays are officially underway in Adrian.

Comstock Park in downtown Adrian is fully decked out for the Christmas season after the annual Comstock Christmas Riverwalk lighting took place Friday night in front of crowds of people.

It was two years ago when the last in-person Riverwalk tree lighting took place. At that time, Adrian was going for a major accomplishment — a Guinness Book of World Records accomplishment — to have the most cut and lighted Christmas trees in one location. A year later, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic set in and a virtual tree lighting took its place.

Having the lighting ceremony in-person once again, and celebrated by people of all ages, was deemed far superior to a virtual lighting by organizers.

“I know everyone missed this so much last year,” said Adrian Mayor Angie Sword Heath. “We are just so thankful to all be back and lighting the Comstock Christmas tree walk together and having fun and being all together with our community.”

There wasn’t a Guinness World Record attempt this year, but there didn’t need to be. A total of 450 trees were sold this year, according to Comstock Christmas Riverwalk organizer Jim Berryman, who said that is the most trees the city has ever sold for the event.

Berryman, along with Heath, Adrian City Administrator Greg Elliott and Adrian’s new director of parks and recreation, Jeremiah Davies, all spoke about the importance of having the riverwalk lighting ceremony back again, and they thanked those who made it possible.

This was the eighth annual Comstock Christmas Riverwalk. In its first year, only 34 lit and decorated trees were placed throughout Comstock Park.

“This only happens because you have a city commission that wants this to happen and wants this to continue,” Berryman said.

Some new touches were added to the layout of the park, which Berryman discussed.

There are three 15-foot-tall trees in the park, which have been sponsored by Lenawee County’s three colleges: Adrian College, Jackson College and Siena Heights University. Berryman called this section of the park “College Row.”

Some holiday gnomes are placed throughout the park, provided by Adrian College’s Department of Art and Design. Decorative deer, instead of trees, stand atop the Comstock Park terrace, sponsored by Planet Fitness. The park’s gazebo houses Santa’s Station, where children can get their picture taken seated in Santa’s chair. County National Bank sponsors Santa’s Station.

A grant from the Lenawee County Board of Realtors provides holiday music throughout the park from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The artificial Christmas tree, which was dedicated last year as the “Tree of Wishes,” now stands 39 feet in height after the city of Adrian purchased an extension. Berryman said in a couple of years, the tree, which can best be viewed along West Maumee Street, should be extended up to 43 feet.

A final, major highlight of this year’s Riverwalk, according to Berryman, is the addition of the “Light the River” display. More than 15,000 feet of twinkling holiday lights are suspended back and forth over the River Raisin.

“It looks the best it ever has,” Berryman said of the park.

The lead sponsor for the Riverwalk is Old National Bank. Its community banking market manager, Jesse Pizana, who oversees Jackson, Lenawee and Monroe counties, said Old National Bank is all about community.

“Last year in 2020, it was a difficult year for everybody,” he said. “We didn’t get to do this last year. It looked a lot different. And so this year, bringing everybody together, this is what the holidays are all about.”

Heath led the crowd in a singing of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and the Adrian College Women's A Cappella Ensemble performed various Christmas songs.

Elliott recognized volunteers, donors and city staff.

“There’s only one person I know who thinks about Christmas more than Jim (Berryman), and that’s Santa himself, and only slightly more,” Elliott said. “Only maybe a day or two more than Jim does.”

The annual Holiday Lights Parade preceded the Comstock Christmas Riverwalk lighting.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian's Comstock Christmas Riverwalk lighted for the holiday season