Article Photos

Fact Box

If you go

What: Armory Square Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Merry-Etta Moonlight Savings event.

When: Ceremony begins at 5:45 p.m. Friday, followed by the savings event which ends at midnight.

Who: About 20 historic downtown and Harmar districts will participate in the savings event.

The 28-foot-tall, 50-year-old blue spruce in Armory Square will be the center of attention Friday night when its lights are turned on.

The tree was donated by Dean and Helen Kehl of Whipple and decorated by Greenleaf Landscapes. Four city workers delivered it to the square on Nov. 19.

The lighting ceremony will begin at 5:45 p.m. and will feature Santa Claus and his elves, the Voices of Triumph choir and hot chocolate, which will be provided by WASCO Inc.

"I think in Ohio's first city that traditions are important, and when it comes to the building of new community traditions, our Armory tree lighting is a good example of that," said Marietta Mayor Michael Mullen.

Mullen said that 10 years ago, the Citizens Armory Preservation Society (C.A.P.S.) started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree at the Armory. That group is now a part of the Friends of the Armory organization.

Following the lighting ceremony, about 20 historic downtown and Harmar merchants will open their doors to shoppers until midnight during the Merry-Etta Moonlight Savings event. A few lucky shoppers might receive 50 percent off a purchase during the event.

"Once you've made your purchase, you draw a ping pong ball and you get between 10 and 50 percent off of the purchase you've made," said ReStore Marietta Vice President Tony Baldwin. "Some stores are doing more discounts across the board."

ReStore Marietta and the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau have sponsored the event for about four years.

"It's a festive Christmas environment and provides late-night shopping for those who can't make it down during the week," Baldwin said.

Twisted Sisters Boutique on Front Street will participate in the event, along with its sister store, Sorelle.

"We have very unique and valuable resources in downtown Marietta," said Twisted Sisters sales associate Suzi Hendrickson.

"People really enjoy having a reason to get out and about in the city."

There will also be free horse and carriage rides offered throughout the evening.