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Happy ‘Who-Li-Days’ in downtown Marietta

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Marietta as dedicated volunteers worked like busy elves Saturday to prepare downtown Marietta for the holiday season.

Lighted wreaths were attached to downtown lamp posts and a “Who-Li-Days Village,” a “Whoville” inspired village, was set up on the Armory lawn. Due to a Marietta Main Street fundraising campaign, Marietta will feature new Christmas decorations this year.

In addition to the lighted pine lamp post decorations, there was a new Community Christmas tree put up earlier this week on the Armory lawn that can be reused each year. Also, a Freshman Engineering class at Washington State Community College led by Project Manager John Burgardt will be installing an LED lighted train display later this week on the Historic Harmar Railroad Bridge.

“The committee was awesome,” said Debby Cline, Marietta Main Street Hometown Holiday Committee Chair. “This started back in January when we decided what we wanted and then had a fundraiser in July.”

Cline said they had a lot of people and businesses step up including those who adopted lamp posts and those who donated and volunteered. Because of them, everyone will enjoy new Christmas decorations, she said.

“I’m hoping that in the future we can go throughout town and decorate more posts,” said Cline. “I also hope that we can get some bus tours to come in and try to get the word out about this.”

Marietta Main Street Executive Director Sam Tuten was excited to get the new decorations up.

“It’s Christmas and holiday time. I think this is awesome,” said Tuten. “Not only with the wreaths and garlands that we’re putting up today, but also with the Community Christmas tree lighting and Annual Merry-Etta Lighted Christmas Parade that will take place on Saturday.”

Tuten said they have 112 light poles that have been adopted for decoration through a fundraising campaign that was held this year. Donor response from individuals and businesses has been tremendous, he said, adding that with a generous donation from Mr. Bee Potato Chip Co., they were able to get a reusable Christmas tree that will be lit up this Saturday on the Armory lawn.

“Who-Li-Days” village, a “Whoville” inspired cut out town, was created by the Mid-Ohio Valley Players that will also be on the Armory lawn.

“It’s exciting to see an all new Christmas lighting arrangement downtown,” said Sylvi Caporale of American Flags & Poles. “The lamp posts are very nice and add a lot of charm downtown. People come to Marietta because of the charm and historic look. It’s such an important part of our community appearance … it’s very inviting.

“We’re trying to have as much lit up as possible for the parade and make it look cheery,” said Caporale. “As a store owner, we’re thankful to the volunteers that came to help out. It takes a lot of work.”

Bob Van Camp was one of the volunteers working to put wreaths on the lamp posts. He was glad to help out and get things ready for the parade. Van Camp said it was the first time he’s volunteered to decorate like that. He likes Marietta and thought it was a great opportunity to help out.

“We can’t do anything without volunteers,” said Marietta Main Street Board Member Tim Glover. “We’re very appreciative of them.”

Glover was also appreciative of those individuals and businesses who participated in this year’s fundraiser by adopting a light pole and donated to make this happen. Mr. Bee Potato Chips donated money for the community tree and Jeremiah’s Coffee House for the “Who-Li-Days” village. For a complete listing of donors, there will be a sign on the Armory lawn.

Volunteer Bob Van Camp secures a wreath onto a lamp post in an effort to get downtown Marietta ready for the holidays.

Kay Doak and Leslie McGoron of the Mid-Ohio Valley Players created the “Who-Li-Days” village.

Doak drew out the designs on the boards, McGoran cut them out and they both, with some help, painted the village. Some of the boards have cut out holes for people’s heads to show through to have fun taking pictures of themselves. Work on this was done at the Epicenter Makerspace that gave them some space to work and the use of their tools to create the village.

“It took four weeks,” said McGoron. “It will be nice seeing people come down here to enjoy this. It will be fun to see the looks on their faces. During the parade, this area will be full of ‘Who-like’ characters.”

Doak said the MOVP is a community theatre so it does a little of everything, directing, acting, build sets and scenery or whatever. This project was right up their alley, she added. Anyone interested in getting involved can go to movp.org.

Everything is gearing up for the events on Saturday, two days after Thanksgiving. First of all, that day is Small Business Saturday. Marietta Main Street, the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce and the Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau all encourage everyone to shop locally. The downtown shops are excited and ready for the holiday shoppers.

Later, at 6 p.m. Saturday will be the annual Merry-Etta Lighted Christmas Parade where all the floats are lighted and Santa Claus will arrive on the final float.. At the conclusion of the parade, the Community Christmas tree and Who-Li-Days Village will be lit up on the Armory lawn.

The Kiwanis also had volunteers helping with the effort on Saturday.

“We try to help out with the town a lot,” said Kiwanis volunteer Melanie Singer. “Everyone enjoys the holidays. These wreaths are very nice along with the trailing garland. We’re glad to help.”

“I’m excited. It’s a great day to put up decorations,” said volunteer Chris Cavalier. “The decorations are beautiful. The committee did a fabulous job choosing them, purchasing them and getting them sponsored. It’s great that people take so much pride in Marietta to keep it clean and make it so appealing.”

For more information on Small Business Saturday and other events, visit: Marietta Main Street – MariettaMainStreet.org; Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce – MariettaChamber.com; and Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau – MariettaOhio.org.

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