T.C. INVENTION GIVES STREETSCAPES & BUSINESSES A LIFT

(TRAVERSE CITY) - A local company has invented a new, multi-use bracket that securely hangs seasonal outdoor displays from utility poles in less time using fewer hardware components -- offering convenience and significant savings for communities, businesses and organizations. Michigan Decorations, LLC, designed the Pole Universal Bracket (PUB) system to work interchangeably with flower baskets, banners, flags and holiday decorations used by cities, festival and event planners, shopping and commercial centers, office buildings, restaurants and other public areas. The system includes a single bracket that stays on poles with fixtures that change to meet a client’s seasonal display needs. The steel PUB is powder coated for durability and to match utility poles, and is bolted to wood or strapped to metal poles. A patent is pending on the invention.

“As cities are changing their streetscapes, they need new decorations and are adding year-round looks,” said Michigan Decorations owner Christine Blackledge. “I custom design decorating systems after meeting with multiple city officials, streetscape designers and architects. Probably the biggest service I offer is getting all of the departments together, listening to them and getting them to visualize what they want. At the same time, I learn the height and road distance codes, stress points, electrical loads and design elements of their proposed project.”

In addition to designing and fabricating brackets, Michigan Decorations supplies standard and custom banners and is, perhaps, best known for its imaginative and memorable lighted holiday displays mounted on poles, draped on trees or fashioned into larger-than-life freestanding exhibits. The company designs and manufactures heavy-gauge, commercial metal silhouettes (or outlines) of snowflakes, snowmen, angels, wreaths, Santas, three-dimensional metallic bows and other custom creations. All are built to withstand high winds and are maintenance-free in winter, thanks to open designs that prevent snow from collecting and weighting down the decorations.

Area displays have included an outline of Red Mesa Grill in LED lights, a lighted winter display of elk for the Traverse City Elks’ Club, a giant grape cluster for the Chef’s Challenge event at Shanty Creek Resort, LED-lighted trees for the city of Charlevoix and a complete, year-round look (lights in trees, snowflake decorations, banners, flag poles) for Boyne City.

“This is our system, Michigan-made for Michigan cities and businesses,” Blackledge said. “We will make what you need.”

Over 1,000 displays are available for lease or purchase, and the company provides installation and removal services plus secure storage in its new, centrally-located warehouse. For more information, call 231-632-1631 or email info@michigandecoration.com