Many tall nutcrackers crafted for display at Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Where else can you find a nutcracker shaped like a penguin or a sugar plum fairy? An HBCU drum major or Michael Jackson?

It’s not quite showtime, but Brightmoor Park is ready for the spotlight. This weekend, the Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival will include several over-the-top 12-feet-tall nutcrackers.

"This is one of our parks in District 1. It’s in the Brightmoor area," said Department of Neighborhoods District 1 manager Karla Williamson. "So I chose to do mine in duct tape. I hope it can withstand the weather. It’s just a labor of love, right? It’s what I do for the city of Detroit anyway. Then I had an opportunity to partner with artists to just pour our love into art and be able to display it."

Karen Robinson’s Nutcracker is pretty in pink, a nod to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated.

"I’m supporting this community because I think Michael Williams has such a good vision for this community that I wanted to be a part of it, even though it may be a little small, I wanted to show that everybody cares," said Robinson. "It’s named ‘Chili,’ and the reason why I chose Chili is because it is chilly out here!"

Every year, organizer Michael Williams lights up Darcy and Burgess Streets for people to drive by. The nutcrackers will be on display until January third.

"It’s a beautiful thing for him to provide the platform for all of these artists to come together," said artist Christopher Gillam. 

While they’re created from household items, the stories behind these artworks are close to the heart like Gillam’s.

"You said this was named after your brother?" asked FOX 2's Brandon Hudson.

"Yeah. My brother passed. He drowned. He was only 28. Boy, and boy would he love this," Gillam responded.