GRAND LEDGE, Mich. — A fence in Grand Ledge is wearing some hearts on its sleeve for the community all thanks to Allen Walter's lovely idea.
“Yeah, it was just another idea to do something here in the winter time,” Walter said.
He wanted to give the Grand Ledge community something to do when they're stuck at home.
"I just think people with the COVID are just kind of bored and tired," Walter said.
So he created a heart wall contest outside of MacDowell's Flower Shop in downtown Grand Ledge to spread a little love this Valentines Day season.
“I usually do a scarecrow contest and a wreath contest and somebody suggested a heart contest so I thought why not lets do a heart contest,” Walter said. “And there’s a lot of people out there spreading the love.”
It got a bigger response than he was expecting with around 20 entries on the fence. But some people are making hearts and hanging them at their houses and Walter makes sure he sees every entry no matter where they are in the community.
Walter said several families have used this as an arts and crafts project for their kids with the youngest entrant being 10 months old. Others have used this to honor front line workers.
“They’re supporting the police departments, the fire departments, our nurses, our doctors, our frontline workers,” Walter said.
Others are honoring a lost loved one.
“There’s one out there from the Lorensten family," Walter said. "They do a family Farkle night. Their mom passed away recently so they made this dice looking heart out there with dice on it.”
The contest winner will be announced at the end of February and win a prize.
“Whichever one I like best will get a $25 gift card to Flower Child Bakery down the street,” Walter said.
Walter said he has a favorite in mind, but he can't reveal which one, yet. He's just glad he could spread some love in the community.
“This has been a long year and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere," Walter said. "So, we just need to lift each other up and help each other out."
Walter said there's still time to make your own heart and enter the contest. Just bring your homemade heart into MacDowell's located at 228 S. Bridge Street in Grand Ledge.
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
