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Special EVENTS

OPENING LIGHTING CEREMONY

The Wonderland of Lights Opening Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 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 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. 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.

CHUG A CHOO CHOO, ALL THE WAY FROM LONGVIEW

New this year, is an exciting way to arrive in holiday style at Wonderland of Lights. A partnership between Visit Longview and Visit Marshall brings you the Wonderland Train, sponsored by CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System.

Starting at the Longview Depot, board a decked out train car on the Amtrak Texas Eagle and enjoy holiday music, characters, refreshments, and photo opportunities on your festive ride to the historic Marshall Texas and Pacific Railway Depot. A bus will be waiting to take passengers to downtown Marshall to experience all the joys of Wonderland of Lights! Guests will receive 2 complimentary carousel rides. Following a fun evening of ice skating, carriage rides, and a visit with the big guy himself, transportation will be provided back to Longview.

Availability is limited to 50 passengers each night. The train is scheduled to leave at 6:15 p.m., but you’ll want to arrive early to enjoy pre-boarding activities. It is approximately a 45 minute train ride to Marshall, and arrival is expected at 7 p.m. You will be greeted with friendly Depot staff and whisked away on your

Wonderland adventure! The bus back to Longview boards at 9 p.m. at a designated pick up/ drop off spot and is approximately a 45 minute ride.

In the event of a train delay, bus transportation will be provided both ways.

Tickets are $15 per passenger when purchased by Nov. 29, and increase to $20 per passenger starting Nov. 30.

Train dates are: Sunday, December 8, Saturday December 14, Saturday, December 21, and Sunday December 29.

CHRISTMAS PARADE LIGHTS UP DOWNTOWN

The 2019 Wonderland of Lights Christmas Parade will once again wind its way through historic downtown Marshall at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

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. 29, 2019. Forms are available for download at www.wonderlandoflights.com, or in person at 211 N. Washington.

The rain date for the parade is Saturday, Dec. 14.

TIGERS ON ICE

Your East Texas Baptist University Hockey team is back for Tigers on Ice on Sunday, Dec. 1! 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 CONTINUED ON PG. 12

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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.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY RUN WITH A JINGLE BELL TWIST

Deck yourself out in lights and get ready to dash, dance, and prance your way across the finish line at our annual Jingle Bell Run 5K and One Mile Fun Run on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The one mile kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and the 5K at 6:30 p.m. The Jingle Bell Run begins on North Washington and will wind its way through historic downtown Marshall before ending at the Harrison County Courthouse.

Runners will be provided with jingle bells, filling the air with the a traditional Christmas ring. All 5K runners will be electronically chip-timed courtesy of Sports Spectrum. A special awards ceremony will be held at Telegraph Park with prizes going to runners dressed in their best costumes as well as timing and age division.

The pre-registration prices increase Friday, Nov. 15. All pre-registered participants are guaranteed a T-shirt on race day. Remaining T-shirts will be available on a “first come, first serve” basis to all late registration entries while supplies last. Runners are encouraged to wear seasonal costumes (Santa, elf, reindeer, etc.) and lights during the run. Entry fees for the 5K and One Mile Fun Run are $20 in advance, $25 after pre-registration deadline, and $30 on race day. All races for children 12 and under are $15 in advance, $20 after pre-registration deadline, and $25 on race day.

Registration forms are available online at www. wonderlandoflights.com and in person at the Visitors Center at 211 N. Washington.

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Outdoor Christmas Market 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.

Vendor applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m., and can be found online at www. wonderlandoflights.com or at the Visitor Center at 211 N. Washington.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission cost!

MOVIE DATE: A CHRISTMAS STORY

Grab a date, bring your gal pals, or make it a guys trip and laugh out loud at this classic Christmas story of misfortune and mishaps. On Dec. 15 at 3:30 p.m., you’ll be enjoying the newly restored Memorial City Hall Performance Center just steps away from all the Wonderland of Lights action.

It’s the final days before Christmas in early 1940s Cleveland, and 9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing from Santa Claus more than anything else: a Red Ryder Carbine Action Air Rifle. As he trudges through the snow to school, faces the neighborhood bully and visits a malevolent department store Santa Clause, Ralphie connives, conspires and campaigns for the most fabulous Christmas present ever in this heartwarming, hysterical and sweetly nostalgic holiday film. Based on stories by Jean Sheppard.

Movie is rated PG. Tickets are $5 per adult, and $3.50 for ages 12 and under. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.memorialcityhall.com.

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 2019 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, Trinity Episcopal Church, Harrison County Historical Museum, a downtown courtyard, Wisteria Bed and Breakfast, and more!

The come and go event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. 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.

THE GRINCH MATINEE

“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. 22 at 3:30 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. Movie is rated PG-13. Tickets are $5 per adult, and $3.50 for ages 12 and under. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.memorialcityhall.com

STORY FEST

Participating merchants of downtown Marshall will have story time and crafts of a variety of Christmas and Holiday books. While the kids are distracted, mom and dad can get in some local, last minute shopping in store!

Story Fest is Saturday, Dec. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with readings starting every hour. Participating merchants will be marked with a poster on the door of which book will be read.

Participants in the 2018 Jingle Bell Run. Special to the News Messenger

100 W. GRAND, STE A MARSHALL, TEXAS 903-927-2330