As preparations get underway for Dowagiac to kick off its holiday season, Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for the seventh consecutive year is a major underwriter for Dowagiac’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration.

The two-fold yuletide celebration features family events Open House Weekend, Nov. 16-18, and continues Dec. 7 as a lighted procession of holiday floats, costumed characters and marching bands usher in a long-time city tradition. Parade chairman Trish Brazo of Huntington Bank said spectators typically stand shoulder-to-shoulder, lining the sidewalks downtown as the parade route ushers in St. Nick and marching and motorized units, representing schools, churches and community organizations from Dowagiac and surrounding communities.

New to this year’s celebration are corporate underwriters Fifth Third Bank, Mahar Insurance and Vylonis Contracting.

Joining the two-part celebration that features the Nov. 16-18 Open House Weekend and the spectacular 100-unit Candle-light Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 7, will be this year’s second-annual Lighting of the Borgess Tree of Love on Thursday, Nov. 29.