The Strolling Lights Festival within The Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District has become
an annual tradition for both families, groups or individuals to join together to decorate a holiday
tree in honor of a worthy cause, or to get visitors in the holiday spirit when we light up The
District in Glen Arbor.
The 2025 Strolling Lights Festival will go towards the Empire Area Food Pantry which serves all
of Leelanau County. This once a week Food Pantry, which is hosted at Glen Lake Community
Reformed Church on Tuesdays year-round, serves an enormous need in our community to help
support those who are struggling to put food on their tables. The Food Pantry offers up canned
and dry food as well as meat and produce. They currently see up to 25 families a week.
With the funds that are raised from this festive tradition, Crystal River Outfitters Recreational
District has a goal to help increase the amount of protein on hand which many times runs out.
The funds will also be helping boost the amount of flour and sugar available which are currently
in short supply as well. By making a donation by way of sponsoring a tree or just a monetary
donation towards The Giving Tree, we will then be able to help the Food Pantry with serving the
local community.
In The District, we are also pet-loving and are excited that some of the funds raised will be able
to go towards the four-legged family members as well who often go unfed.
Strolling Lights Festival Trees are $150 to sponsor and can be purchased via
www.crystalriveroutfitters.com. Monetary donations toward “The Giving Tree” can also be made
online as well. Families can start decorating their trees on Friday, November 21st and can be viewed by the public through the New Year with the kickoff Thanksgiving weekend in Glen Arbor.
To Visit the Strolling Lights Festival:
The Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District is open daily throughout the holiday season for
free viewing of the trees.
Additionally, on November 29th, Santa will be on the M22 Glen Arbor Wine Patio from 11-1 to
meet your kids, hear their holiday wishes and pose for family pictures. There is no cost to attend
this and all are welcome!
If you have any questions, please email Kait Springsdorf at [email protected]
