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Alison Simmons / Courtesy Marquette Downtown Development Authority
Marquette Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade
The annual Christmas tree lighting at Marquette Commons follows the Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade on Dec. 5.
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Jack Deo / Courtesy Downtown Development Authority
Marquette New Year's Eve Ball Drop
A crowd anticipates the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in downtown Marquette.
December in downtown Marquette brings two year-end events you don’t want to miss: the Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade and tree lighting, early in the month, and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
The holiday parade runs down Third Street, starting at North Third and Fair Avenue, and features carolers, bands, illuminated floats and decorated trucks, including a cement mixer. You may even see people riding their bikes and wearing seasonal lights. Besides the entertainment value and the chance to see Santa – like a scene from the movie “Christmas Story” – there’s another reason for youngsters to be there with their families. The parade offers a way to get those all-important letters (and lists) to jolly old St. Nick. Marquette Post Office staff will be there with some decorated postal trucks and will collect kids’ letters along the route.
The parade ends at Marquette Commons downtown for the 38th annual tree-lighting ceremony. Everyone crowds around the tree to warm their tummies with free hot chocolate and warm their hearts with a performance from the Marquette Senior High School Redmen Chorale. Santa will be there with real reindeer (new this year, courtesy of Marquette County Convention and Visitors Bureau) for holiday photos.
Crowds will come out again for Marquette’s own 25th annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, another local tradition. Thousands gather for the countdown to midnight as the illuminated ball is lowered from the historic Savings Bank Building at the corner of Front and Washington streets. Times Square has nothing on this Big Lake city.
Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade, Dec. 5, 6 p.m., and the annual tree lighting with Santa at 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is Dec. 31 at midnight. 906-228-9475. www.downtownmarquette.org