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Marion’s Annual Christmas in the Park celebration promises an evening of family fun on Friday, December 7th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in City Square Park, Uptown Marion. This year’s event will feature traditional activities including the lighting of the community peace tree, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides around City Square Park, hot cocoa and popcorn, and activities at the Marion Public Library. Don’t miss a special appearance from Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen. Most importantly, Christmas in the Park will welcome the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. The public is encouraged to bring along new hats, mittens or blankets to donate to the Keep Your Neighbors Warm campaign. New this year, attendees will enjoy several selfie-stations throughout the park. In addition to the activities happening in the Park, Uptown Marion Main Street will host Peppermint Walk, a holiday shopping event. A nice compliment to the Chocolate Walk held in the fall, the Peppermint Walk will feature a variety of Uptown Marion businesses. Due to the event activity in the Uptown Marion area, drivers are reminded to use caution and yield to pedestrians and carriages. Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk is a free community event thanks to our Marion Chamber Platinum Community Partners – Farmers State Bank, Fosters Heating and Air Conditioning, ImOn Communications, MercyCare Community Physicians, and Townsquare Media. See the schedule below for full details or visit www.marioncc.org. 2018 Schedule of Events All activities are FREE thanks to our event sponsors Arrival of Santa Claus 4:00 p.m. - Don’t miss the grand arrival of our special guests by fire truck! Santa, Mrs. Claus will visit with children from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Popcorn from the Shriner’s 4:00 p.m. - Enjoy hot cocoa and fresh popcorn while supplies last. Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. - Create a special memory with your family by taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around City Square Park. Keep Your Neighbors Warm 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Climb aboard the Peppermint Express to donate new hats, gloves and blankets. Items will be collected in the caboose and distributed to area families in need through the Marion Holiday Giving Project. All children walking through the caboose will receive a jingle bell, while quantities last, to ring for the lighting of the Peace Tree. Selfie Stations 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Capture the fun of the evening with several built-in vignettes, perfect for a selfie or family photo. Caroling 5:00-5:30 p.m. – Sounds of the season with Marion High School Carolers Visit with a Princess 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. A special visit with Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen. Hot Cocoa 5:45 p.m. - Enjoy free hot cocoa near the Depot while supplies last Lighting of the Peace Tree, Caroling 6:00 p.m. Gather around the Peace Tree as Marion’s Citizen of the Year helps with the lighting. Sing along with a family of carolers as they stroll the park. Holiday Activities at the Library 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Holiday Book and Music Sale – Friends of the Marion Library host a book sale in the lobby. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Make & Take Craft – Children can warm up in the Library meeting room while enjoying a fun craft. 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Holiday Tuba Ensemble – Warm up while listening to holiday music in the Library’s lobby. 7:00 p.m. Santa’s Saxes holiday quartet Peppermint Walk Shopping Event Visit participating Uptown Marion merchants, restaurants and businesses during this special holiday open house and participate in the Holiday Passport. All of the stores will be decorated with holiday lights, decorations and music. For a list of participating locations, please visit www.uptownmarion.com.