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OPENING LIGHTING CEREMONY The Wonderland of Lights Opening Lighting Ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24 in front of the historic Harrison County Courthouse.

A brief ceremony will take place and feature performances from both a children’s choir and your hometown sweethearts, the Mavettes – Marshall’s rendition of the New York Rockettes. Wonderland of Lights begins when Santa Claus himself flips the switch on millions of white lights on the historic 1901 Harrison County Courthouse and along North Washington Avenue!

The fun continues with outdoor ice skating, carousel, train, trolley and horse drawn carriage rides through downtown’s dazzling light displays, Santa’s Village, and live entertainment nightly. See you at countdown!

WASSAIL WALK; A SAMPLING OF THE

SEASON ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Downtown merchants will be competing for bragging rights for the best holiday brew during the Fourth Annual Wassail Walk, an event in conjunction with National Small Business Saturday.

The event is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. Wassail is a hot drink that is made with wine, beer or cider, spices, sugar and usually baked apples. It is traditionally served from a large bowl, especially at Christmastime. Wassail Walk participants put their own twists on the recipes, which are heavily guarded secrets among the cooks. Wassail will be served at various shops, stores and restaurants in historic downtown Marshall.

Shoppers and other downtown visitors are invited to warm their bodies and spirits by sampling the various recipes, which will be judged on both taste and presentation. Participating merchants are also battling for the coveted People’s Choice award in which shoppers and visitors will be able to cast their vote for the best wassail. The competition is fierce, but the wassail is a warm and welcome respite for holiday shoppers.

Wassail Walk is a great day to come downtown, do a little Christmas shopping, have lunch, drink some delicious warm wassail and enjoy the season. This event is held in conjunction with American Express Small Business Saturday, a national campaign, and is a great way to show your support for local business owners.

Wassail will be served at various shops and restaurants in historic downtown Marshall. Souvenir tasting cups and a list of participating merchants can be picked up at the Visitor Center, located at 211 N. Washington the morning of the event.

CHRISTMAS PARADE LIGHTS UP DOWNTOWN

In Partnership with the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce The 2021 Wonderland of Lights Christmas Parade will once again wind its way through historic downtown Marshall at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

The lighted parade features antique and classic cars, marching bands, drill teams, lighted floats, mounted horses and, of course, Santa Claus. Trophies will be awarded for the following categories: best band presentation, best equine/horse, best lighted entry, best lighted truck, best lighted car, peppiest entry, best lighted agricultural and most unique entry. Non-lighted entries will not be eligible for awards.

Entry forms for floats are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Forms are available at the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce located at 110 S Bolivar.

The rain date for the parade is Saturday, Dec. 11.

TIGERS ON ICE Your East Texas Baptist University Hockey team is back for Tigers on Ice on Sunday, Dec. 5! Join us as the team takes the ice for a crash course in ice hockey. The team will run through a few drills, break down the basics of the sport, and entertain us with a short scrimmage. Attendees will receive an autographed souvenir, and then the Tigers will be back on the ice to skate with children and their families.

The schedule of events includes introductions at 5 p.m., a little bit of information about ETBU Hockey at 5:15 p.m., a light scrimmage game at 5:25 p.m. (can you keep your eye on the puck?) and autograph signing and skating with children and families at 5:45 p.m.

The rink will follow the regular skating schedule, with 45 minute sessions running every hour, on the hour, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets to skate are $10 and include your skate rental.

MERRY MAVERICK JINGLE BELL RUN BENEFITING THE MARSHALL EDUCATION FOUNDATION Come and celebrate Christmas while working off some of those Christmas cookies by running in the Merry Maverick Jingle Bell Run! Enjoy the Christmas atmosphere of Marshall, Texas as you wind through our downtown streets on Dec. 11. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m.

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS MARKET The Outdoor Christmas Market, Dec. 18, features vendors from around the region selling homemade Christmas and holiday crafts, decor, and plenty of great gifts and “stocking stuffers.” Booths line North Washington Avenue, inviting shoppers to stroll the street and sidewalks exploring both the Market and the downtown shops. Local growers with Market on the Square and the Harrison County Farmers Market will be set up at Telegraph Park with seasonal goods. CONTINUED ON PG. 12

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Vendor applications will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m., and can be found online at www.marshalltexas.net/483/Wonderland-of-Lights-2021.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no admission cost!

WONDERLAND OF SITES; A SIGHT TO BEHOLD Those Wonderland attendees who want to get a little history of some historic buildings in Marshall are in luck, as the Wonderland of Sites tour offers just that! We are excited to announce new additions to our historical tour event, Wonderland of Sites. Wonderland of Sites 2021 includes historic homes, patios, museums, churches and more! Each location offers a chance to sneak a peek at interesting locations you might not otherwise have been inside.

Participating locations include, but are not limited to: The Starr Family Home State Historic Site, Michelson Museum of Art, Harrison County Historical Museum (both locations) and Texas & Pacific Railway Museum and building in and around Historic Downtown District

The come and go event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. Maps are available at the Visitors Center at 211 N. Washington a week prior to the event as well as the day of.

For information, call (903) 702-7777.

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MOVIE: THE GRINCH “Don’t forget the Grinch. I know he’s mean and hairy and smelly. His hands might be cold and clammy, but I think he’s actually kinda... sweet.” Cindy Lou Who said it right when she talked about sharing the spirit of Christmas! On Dec. 4 at 1 p.m, you’ll be enjoying the newly restored Memorial City Hall Performance Center just steps away from all the Wonderland of Lights action.

In this 2018 fully animated retelling of Dr. Suess’ The Grinch, The Grinch attempts to undermine the annual Christmas celebration at Whoville with the help of his loyal dog and reindeer. He disguises himself as Santa Claus and tries to steal all the presents, but his cover his threatened by an earnest young girl.

Movie is rated PG. Tickets are $5 per adult, and $3.50 for ages 12 and under. Information and tickets at (903) 934-7992 or online at www.memorialcityhall.com

CHARLES DICKENS’: “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” A powerful story of redemption, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of holiday joy. Ebenezer Scrooge, that most unrepentant and miserly of fellows, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own life: Jacob Marley and the Christmas Spirits of Past, Present, and Future. Sunday Dec 5, at 3 p.m., Memorial City Hall. Information and tickets at 903934-7992 or online at www.memorialcityhall.com. Children’s tickets half price. Sponsored by: Verabank

THE NUTCRACKER

PRESENTED BY MARSHALL BALLET THEATRE Share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by her Nutcracker Prince into an enchanting winter wonderland. Don’t miss dazzling dancing snowflakes, the famous Sugar Plum Fairy and the notorious Mouse King in the ultimate festive entertainment. Dec. 18 and 19 at Memorial City Hall . More information available at www.memorialcityhall.com

CHRISTMAS CAR SHOW Rusty Lug Nugts Second Saturday Car Show extends into the Christmas Season. Dec. 11, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Come stroll Main Street and spectate classic hot rods wearing your best ugly Christmas Sweater.

Antique cars are on display during the annual Christmas parade.

Special to the News Messenger