Marysville hosting two new Christmas events

Marysville residents and business owners this year are preparing to celebrate the season with two new holiday events — a Gold Rush Christmas, and Christmas in the Park.

The city's business improvement district received approval from the City Council last week to stage an event Friday that pays homage to Marysville's 19th-century roots — and shopping.

"It's a way to kick off Christmas downtown," said Donna Hannaford, administrative assistant and event coordinator for the business improvement district. "Hopefully, we'll get our vendors to dress up and decorate."

The festivities will revolve around the annual tree lighting and feature several local performing arts groups and group caroling.

Vendors on board include some that sell handmade gifts, and several D Street-area merchants will set up booths outdoors featuring gift items for sale.

The Marysville Police Department will collect toys for needy families at both the downtown event, and at Christmas in the Park, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8 in East Marysville.

For years, Marysville High School's student body president, Gabriela Portillo, 17, had been wishing that her adopted hometown would host a park event like the one she enjoyed as a child in San Jose.

With help from volunteers at the Allyn Scott Youth and Community Center, she is helping organize the Christmas in the Park holiday celebration at Stephen J. Field Park — better known as Circle Park — in a residential neighborhood near the high school.

School clubs, church groups and other community organizations that wish to participate can take part in a tree-decorating contest, and a massive decorating effort will be underway during the hours leading up to the 3 p.m. event.

Portillo said she hopes to attract community groups to participate, and to host game and food booths at the event.

"It's a good way to get together during this happy, festive time," she said.