Why did the community trademark this nickname in 1967? How does Christmas City celebrate the holiday?

Christmas City USA dates back to 1965 when an Indianapolis television station visited Marion to film its elaborate holiday decorations for a Christmas special. Marion immediately adopted Christmas City USA as a nickname, and General Plastics, a local manufacturer of holiday displays, copyrighted the name for the City. Ever since, the entire community has celebrated Christmas in a big way.

The Christmas City Walkway of Lights is the centerpiece of the Holiday Festivities in Marion. Our dazzling holiday display spans nearly four continuous miles and features more than 2.5 million lights. Over 125 individual displays run side by side along the Mississinewa Riverwalk from Downtown Marion to scenic Matter Park. The Walkway of Lights is one of the oldest and largest light displays in the Midwest.

The Walkway of Lights was established in 1992 when the holiday displays were expanded north from the courthouse square to the new Mississinewa Riverwalk. The first lighted exhibits paid tribute to the 33 countries represented by the residents of the area. Through the years the event has evolved into the premier holiday extravaganza in the Midwest with a broad range of themes. While the lights follow the Riverwalk, the majority of visitors enjoy the animated displays from the comfort of their cars or one of many chartered motor coaches. Each year more than 50 thousand vehicles carry nearly a 200,000 passengers along the illuminated route.

Displays include a 95-foot animated sea dragon, a 60-foot riverboat and the signature lighted suspension bridge that stretches 227 feet across the Mississinewa River at the Highland Bridge.

Animation brings several of the newest displays to life. A playful penguin enjoys his slippery ride down the icy slope of a 14-foot igloo. An elf takes a break from holiday chores to make a snowball that rolls down the hillside until it is bigger than he is and engulfs him. And two larger-than –life soldiers salute visitors as they enter the Light Tunnel at the park entrance.

Inspirational displays include the life-size nativity scene, “Shepard Kneeling at the Cross” and the “Angel Choir” dedicated to the memory of former Walkway Chairman, Jim Moritz

The holiday magic continues at the Gift Shoppe located near the end of the trail in Matter Park. Visitors warm up by the fireplace and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Local artisan offer handcrafted gifts and commemorative souvenirs to eager Christmas shoppers.

The festivities begin on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Christmas City USA parade brings Santa to town and the lighting ceremony takes place at dusk. The exhibit is illuminated nightly from 6pm to 10pm through News Years Day.

The Christmas City Walkway of Lights is made possible each year by the dedicated efforts of the employees of the City of Marion, General Plastics Corporation, local business and organization sponsors, and community volunteers. There is no admission fee to the walkway of lights, but donations for general operations are gratefully accepted.

Load up the car and bring the family out to celebrate the holidays in a very special way.
 

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Riverboat Image

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