CHRISTMAS STARTS IN DOWNTOWN MARION, OHIO !

Holidays in

Downtown Marion

Saturday, December 1

Breakfast with Santa = 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

at The Warehouse

          Buffet:  $7.95 adults; $4.95 kids

WMRN Peanut Push to benefit the

Christmas Clearing House = 10:00 a.m.

West Center Street … just west of Prospect Street

   Hot Chocolate, Ornament & Face Painting at APEX Church’s Kidz Center (Center & Prospect Sts.) = 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Christmas Parade = noon

          Featuring Santa, bands and 13 floats

          Starts on East Center St. at Greenwood, then

          moves west on Center St. past the Palace Theatre.

Thank you to our generous parade sponsors: 

Carroll’s Jewelers, Frontier Communications, Kingston Residence of Marion, Kiwanis, Kohl’s, Marion Blue Racers, Marion Manor, Partners of Marion, Primrose Retirement Community, Promo Costumes, and Storad Label.

Free Children’s Movie, Palace Theatre = 1:30 p.m.

          “Arthur Christmas”

This highly reviewed 2011 release reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child's question: 'So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?'  The answer:  Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole.  But at the center of the film is a story about a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero, Arthur, with an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns.

Our heartfelt thanks to these gentlemen for sponsoring this movie: 

Tom Bostic, Nick Chilton, Daryl Gates, Ted Graham, Carl Hughes,

Howard Smith and Lowell Thurston.

Happy Thanksgiving - Shop Local !

First I'd like to wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Please remember that amid all the media hype about Black Friday, travel conditions, and the "perfect" Thanksgiving meal, the best Thanksgivings are spent simply enjoying time with family and friends. I was blessed to have a Thanksgiving lunch with my 10-year-old grandson at his school yesterday. The students had made place mats with the traditional turkey and he'd listed what he was thankful for. His list, in order, was, he was thankful for Jesus, his family, his friends, and his toys & video games. I remember smiling and thinking a) we all could take a lesson from this kid on what's important in life, including myself; and b) I need to tell his parents they are doing a good job.

Second, don't forget about our Shop Local program where you could win over $500 in local shopping just when you need it most! Details are attached, but to get started, just pick up your coupon sheet full of wonderful discounts to 25 area businesses at either Marion branch of the Ohio State Bank or Blue Fusion in the Marion Plaza.

Speaking of shopping locally, I know that EE Johnson is having some great Black Friday specials ... up to $2,000 off on a wide variety of items. Stop by, check it out and register for the Shop Local grand prize!

Great Impressions is getting a new batch of jewelry in today ... I always get compliments on my jewelry pieces from Great Impressions, which are also very reasonably priced for the great quality & style you get ... and register for the Shop Local grand prize!

The OSU-Michigan game is this Saturday {Go Bucks!} and I get really great OSU items at Home Again Stained Glass & more. You can also register for the Shop Local grand prize there.

Those "big name" jewelry stores down south don't have anything on our very own Carroll's Jewelry for that special jewelry item for your sweetheart ... and you can register here, too.

Find you need some great holiday decor and unique gifts, there are a number of Downtown stores that can help you out including Present & Past Home Decor, Crown Tower, and all of the stores of Charleston Place ... and guess, what? You can register for the Shop Local grand prize at each of them!

And last, but not least, start the holiday season off right by attending the Marion Civic Chorus and Orchestra's 71st annual presentation of Handel's "Messiah" at the Palace on Sunday, November 25th at 7:00 p.m. There is no admission fee, however, a freewill offering will be received.

Next weekend at the Palace is "Christmas at the Palace". This is another Palace tradition that I can also personally attest to the fact it's a fabulous event. Go to www.marionpalace.org for complete details on this and all of the other upcoming holiday events!

Remember, especially in the upcoming holiday season, where you eat, shop and play truly does matter ... please do it locally.

Karen

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Karen Herr

Manager, Downtown Marion, Inc.

205 West Center Street, Suite 130

Marion, OH 43302

740.382.2181