Murphy residents usher in the Christmas season in a big way Thursday, Dec. 6 with the 10th annual Christmas in the park at City Hall.

Festivities open at 5:30 p.m. with a unique mini-parade of walkers, wagons, bicycles, golf carts, ATVs and other small motorized or non-motorized vehicles adorned with twinkling lights. The parade starts at the fire station and follows the sidewalk that skirts the pond.

“The mini-parade has been such a hit that people who attend the festival really want it to continue,” Special Events Coordinator Kayla McFarland said. “The evening is packed with lots of fun things to do and experience, and it all starts with the parade.”

The parade’s conclusion triggers the start of the annual festival, with the lighting of the community Christmas tree. Mayor Scott Bradley will flip the switch with the help of Santa Claus.

Along with the parade and tree lighting, the celebration features live reindeer, marshmallow and banana roasting, food and craft vendors, local choir music, and each family gets one photo with Santa. A variety of food vendors will sell delicious dinner items.

“Creative craft vendors will be selling fun items that make perfect holiday gifts for family, friends, and loved ones,” McFarland said. “We’ll also have warm fire pits for marshmallow roasting and s’mores kits.”

Santa will be outdoors by the Community Christmas tree, so families and small children are advised to dress warmly. Members of the Murphy Chamber of Commerce will be handing out hot chocolate and McGuiness Dermatology will sponsor a fun TV truck.

Volunteers and sponsors for the event are always welcome. People who want to volunteer can sign up at www.murphytx.org/477 and businesses wishing to become sponsors should send an email message to [email protected].

For more stories like this, see the Dec. 6 issue or subscribe online.

From Staff Reports • [email protected]