12/04/08

It's time for Merrysville celebration

By Beckye Randall

Left: Marilyn Boe (at left), shown here with Carmen Rasmussen at the annual senior picnic, is this year's Grand Marshal for the Merrysville Electric Lights Parade.

Families are invited to enjoy the 20th annual Merrysville for the Holidays celebration in downtown Marysville on Saturday, December 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Comeford Park.

Parks and Recreation staffers promise a "wintry wonderland of magical lights and sounds" for the city's winter festival and parade.

The free festival gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with the Electric Lights Parade, a caravan of vehicles and floats crowned with holiday lights. The parade begins at City Hall, 1049 State Avenue, and heads south to Comeford Park, 514 Delta Avenue.

The parade's Grand Marshal is Marilyn Boe, manager of the local branch of HomeStreet Bank. She was notified of her selection by Parks director Jim Ballew with a special gift.

"Jim called and invited me to lunch," said Boe, "and then he gave me a gift bag with a light-up tiara and wand. At first I thought he was punking me, but it finally sunk in that I had been selected for the parade honor."

Boe was "very flattered" by the choice, but she insists the honor is shared by her entire staff.

"We're all dedicated to community service," she said, noting volunteer commitments made by various bank employees. "HomeStreet Bank's motto is 'Doing Well by Doing Good' and we all believe in that."

Immediately after the parade, Boe will join Mayor Dennis Kendall in flipping the switch to light up the historic water tower. The evening's musical entertainment includes the Northern Sound Advanced Girls' Choir, who will perform from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

Free photos with Santa will be available (bring your own camera), and treats and hot drinks will on sale at the Ken Baxter Senior Center, with proceeds benefiting the center.

Volunteers with Operation Marysville Community Christmas (OMCC) will also be on hand to accept donations of non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped gifts.

Last year's event was made even more memorable by an early December snowfall.

"We can't promise snow this year to add to the magic," said Ballew, "but you can be sure that we are going to make this year's event one to remember. So dress warm and come out to kick off the holiday season in the spirit of fun and giving."

Merrysville for the Holidays is sponsored by the Marysville Parks and Recreation Department, Marysville Kiwanis Club, Marysville Lions Club and Roy Robinson Chevrolet-Subaru.

blog comments powered by Disqus