MARYSVILLE Marysville transforms into Merrysville for the Holidays event this week, and organizers have high expectations for a bigger than normal Parade of Lights, which travels from City Hall to Fifth Street at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2.
Were expecting about 30 entries, with the new Sound Harley Davidson already registered to be in the parade, said parade coordinator Kayla Flynn, of the Marysville Parks and Recreation Department.
Mayor Dennis Kendall and his wife Sue will be riding the Hawthorn Inns stretch limo, Flynn added. And of course the fire and police departments are regular participants, she said.
But the fun really begins at
Comeford Park at the end of the parade where the lighting of the watertower will be enhanced by the exotic flair of Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana in the chilly air for Santa Claus and his enthusiastic guests.
The fun continues in the park from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. with savory treats, hot drinks and hand-made treasures for sale inside the Ken Baxter Community Center, with proceeds benfitting the center.

Parade Marshal
Jim Johnson will lead Merrysvilles Holiday Parade of Lights as the parade marshal Saturday, Dec. 2. A rare individual who serves the community tirelessly without asking anything in return, Johnson and his wife of 45 years, Ardyce, moved to Marysville from Wisconsin nine years ago to be near their grandchildren.
Johnson is an active member of the Marysville Kiwanis Club, he is on the board of directors for the Marysville Food Bank and has been treasurere of Operation Marysville Community Christmsas for three years. He also volunteers for Hospice, visiting local residents who are terminally ill. Outside of volunteering, Johnsons favorite hobby making Christmas ornaments and lapel pins of angels, butterflies and crosses to give to his friends and fellow volunteers.
His constant uplifting attitude and sense of peace is a rare gift to this community, said city officials who nominated Johnson for the privilege of leading the parade.