Marion, Mullins celebrate holidays this coming weekend

If there is one thing Marion County does right, its the execution of numerous activities the first weekend in December to commemorate the holidays.

In the City of Marion you can expect to find:

The annual Holiday Prelude will take place in downtown Marion on Main Street. On Saturday, the day will start with pictures with Santa at Bryers Park on the corner of Main and Harllee Streets, beginning at 10 a.m. The photos are free, so bring the little ones and have their moment with Santa captured. After the pictures are taken, you can enjoy an old-fashioned horse drawn carriage ride from Main Street to The Inn on Harllee and back. Carriage rides are free and take about 20 minutes.

The Main Street Marion office at the corner of Main and Witcover Street will host the fourth annual artists sale from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Different artists from Marion County and as far away as Columbia will display their wares for visitors to enjoy and purchase.

At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Marion Chamber of Commerce parade will take place on Main Street. This is a fun parade with Santa arriving at the end. Also on Sunday is the Caroling and Tree Lighting Service at the Courthouse, where the Magnolia tree on the square features over 10,000 lights. The Courthouse steps, the town square fountain and Main Street will be lit with more than 1,400 luminaries.

Hot drinks, sponsored by local banking institutions, will be served during the evening, a live Nativity scene will take place in front of the Courthouse and a Children’s Community Chorus will perform during the service. Santa will again arrive aboard the City of Marion Fire Truck at 5 p.m., and the tree lighting service will begin at 6 p.m.

Before you go to the tree lighting service, stop by the Marion Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, between 5 –7 p.m., and for $4 per person you can enjoy a soup and cornbread supper sponsored by the Marion Pilot Club. There will also be a silent auction and raffle during the evening. And after the tree lighting, the biggest fireworks display in the area will be at Withlacoochee Park at 7 p.m.

In the City of Mullins you can find:

That the holiday season is better when sharing and making memories.

Again this year in Mullins there will be the Saturday Christmas parade, tree lighting and Candlelight Tour of Churches. The Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Tree of Lights as a holiday fundraising event with "Remembrance Tree Lights" purchased and placed on the tree in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends.

The Chamber Christmas Parade kicks off the day's events at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Tree of Lights Celebration and Lighting of the Town Christmas Tree at the Depot is from 5:30-8:15 p.m. on Sunday. Hot cider will be served at Anderson Brothers Bank on Main Street.

At the close of the Tree Lighting, participants are invited to the warmth of O’Hara’s Century House for dessert and coffee and a time of fellowship with family and friends. Cost is $6 per person. Additionally, the newly-opened Gateway Bed & Breakfast will have an Open House, admission $5, on Sunday from 3-5 p.m.

Advent services begin this Wednesday. In Mullins, a Moravian Candlelight Love Feast will be conducted at Macedonia United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. today. Advent mid-week services will be in the Christ Prayer Chapel on Main Street, at noon, on Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 24. The event features guest ministers and musicians. Lunch is in the church fellowship hall after the service.