12/18/08

Parades, music and lights welcome Christmas

Being the daughters of a Maryfest Board member has its perks! Frank Michal's daughters (left to right) Kate, Claire and Emma enjoyed riding on the Strawberry Festival float during the Merrysville for the Holidays parade.

Olympic Avenue was decked out in holiday splendor for Arlington's annual Santa Parade, held December 6 this year as part of Arlington's Hometown Holidays. The midday parade featured local bands, civic groups and a special appearance by Santa himself, perched on the seat of honor in a horse-drawn wagon.

Mark Winterhalter spends several days in downtown Arlington each year with his gentle horses, Sugar and Spice, giving traditional wagon rides for free to local families. Kids and parents alike waited patiently for their turn to climb onto the buckboard for a leisurely ride around town.

Laurie Breon's Choir on Fire from Kent Prairie Elementary provided festive musical entertainment in the plaza next to Playa Bonita Restaurant. The Downtown Arlington Business Association arranged for a variety of musical performances during the day, both at the central parking lot and at the Legion Park gazebo.

Santa took requests from a long line of children from his perch at the gazebo after Mayor Margaret Larson delivered a welcome speech and lit the city's Christmas tree.

Meanwhile, shoppers found local bargains at Super Saturday events hosted by downtown Arlington merchants.

Once the sky began to darken that same day, Marysville residents gathered at Comeford Park for the city's Merrysville for the Holidays events. Cars, trucks and boats were festooned with twinkling lights for the holiday parade, joining school bands and Marysville police and fire vehicles, while locals bundled up to watch the procession down State Avenue.

Grand Marshal Marilyn Boe, manager of Marysville's HomeStreet Bank, led the Electric Lights parade. Boe and her staff later joined Mayor Dennis Kendall at the Comeford Park gazebo for the ceremonial lighting of the city's water tower, which resembles a toy drum for the holidays.

The North Sound Advanced Girls' Choir provided music for the downtown event as visitors enjoyed an arts and crafts bazaar at the Ken Baxter Senior Community Center, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and tasty holiday treats.

"It's such an honor to be involved with this community event," said Boe. "And it's great to be in Merrysville for the holidays."

 

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