Everything is merry and bright in Martin during the holiday season; the city has been decorated with Christmas lights and garland, and students are finishing up the semester just in time for the holidays.
While the stress of finals has dominated the campus atmosphere, there are plenty of festive activities happening in the community for everyone to enjoy, especially during studying breaks.
The Light Up Martin festival began Monday, Dec. 2, in Festival Park with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which featured live music from the SMACK Children’s Choir of Central Baptist Church and a UTM Music Department band. The city also hosted a fireworks display after the lighting of the tree, food trucks, and carousel and train rides for kids.
The annual Christmas Parade, hosted by the Kiwanis Club, also occurred on Monday with participation from organizations all across Weakley County. Businesses, city officials, schools and nonprofit organizations in the community paraded down University Street through downtown Martin passing out candy and holiday cheer to children who lined the road.
The League of Striving Artists is hosting its 6th Annual Holiday Art Bazaar in the Fine Arts Gallery beginning 5-8 p.m., Dec. 5; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 6; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 7. Community members will be able to purchase handmade gifts made by UTM students and faculty. Proceeds from the bazaar will go to the LSA Scholarship Award Fund. The event is open and free to the public. For more information, contact faculty adviser of LSA, Jason Stout, at 731-881-3402 or email jstout@utm.edu.
Trinity Presbyterian Church is hosting their Community Messiah Sing-a-long at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The night will feature Handel’s “Messiah” which tells the story of Jesus. The cantata will be conducted by UTM Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music Dr. Mark Simmons and will be accompanied by UTM Professor of Music Dr. Elaine Harriss. For more information, contact Harriss at 731-881-7411 or email elaineh@utm.edu.
The 35th Annual Santa’s Village will be in the Ned Ray McWherter from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12-13; 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Dec. 14; and 1 – 5 p.m. Dec. 15. The event is free to the public; however, all attendees are encouraged to donate $5 worth of canned food or one unopened children’s toy. For more information about Santa’s Village, contact Rita Janes, city of Martin Parks and Recreation Department, at 731-587-6784.
Project 731 is hosting the Tacky Little Christmas Pub Crawl beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Multiple businesses in Martin are participating in this years crawl such as The Grind, La Cabana, A.B. Cheathams, Blue Oak Oyster Bar, Opera House, The Hawks Nest, Cadillac’s, Slide & Ride and The American Legion. The Martin Police Department will be offering a free safety shuttle during the crawl to encourage participants not to drink and drive.
Discovery Park of America has decorated the entire park for the drive through light exhibit “Let it Glow Light Show” which began Nov. 22 and will last through Dec. 30. The light show is open seven days a week, but is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas. Entrance fee is $10 per car, $25 per 15-passenger van and $50 per bus for the drive through.
The Martin Business Association is hosting carriage rides downtown 3 – 8 p.m. on Dec. 21, for $5 per person.
The City of Martin will host Santa’s Open House at Festival Park Dec. 21, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Stay updated with The Pacer’s social media for more information this holiday season.
