Electric holiday atmosphere comes to Marysville

With the return of the Electric Lights Parade along with Merrysville for the Holidays, a fun, festive holiday atmosphere will sweep through the Marysville Dec. 4.

Merrysville for the Holidays, which includes a parade down State Avenue near the city center, provides food and children’s activities the family will be sure to enjoy.

“We’re excited to have it back,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. “We know it’s a big event for the community.”

The Electric Lights Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Court House and goes down State Avenue before turning onto Sixth Street at Comeford Park.

“The Electric Light Parade is just magical,” said Andrea Kingsford, a recreation supervisor for the city of Marysville. She added the city has received around 20 entries as of press time including groups such as the Girl Scouts, Sunrise Rotary and the Granite Falls School of Dance. Registration to enter in the parade has been extended to Nov. 29.

Kingsford added she loves seeing community groups come together to participate in Merrysville holiday events.

“People really desire to get back to a sense of community,” Nehring said.

Community groups are teaming up in Comeford Park, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., to provide children’s activities that they can take home to complete as well as movie-watching kits that include popcorn and hot cocoa mix, said Kristen Rasmussen, also a recreation supervisor for the city of Marysville.

Six food vendors, including kettle corn, Indian food, vegetarian, and hot dogs and burgers, will be available for people attending Merrysville for the Holidays, which is sponsored by Coastal Community Bank. A bonfire provided by the Tulalip Lions is available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Families can also take photos next to inflatable holiday decorations placed throughout the park.

Merrysville for the Holidays and the Electric Lights Parade were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. In its place was Merrysville Community Lights, that encouraged homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits to decorate their homes to see who could build a festive display.

“We’re pleased to bring back the parade and the community lights,” Kingsford said.

Marysville’s holiday celebration has several construction projects are underway in the Comeford Park area. The Marysville Civic Center is currently under construction and maintenance at the water tower prevented it from being decorated in holiday lights for 2021.

Nehring said that when the city campus construction projects are complete, Merrysville for the Holidays will be much larger in 2022.

Schedule of events

Merrysville for the Holidays Dec. 4 at Comeford Park

• 4 to 7 p.m. – Food and craft vendors, selfie stations and bonfire
• 6:30 p.m. – Electric Lights Parade on State Avenue from the Municipal Court to Comeford Park.

Merrysville Community Lights

Dec. 4 through Dec. 31

A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show

Dec. 13

6:30 p.m., at the Marysville Opera House. Free.

Holiday Variety Show

Dec. 17

7:30 p.m. at the Marysville Opera House. Tickets $18 in advance.