MARYSVILLE — The city of Marysville is once again celebrating the winter holidays with annual events that have become familiar favorites for the community, but it’s looking for participants from the community to take part and help those events shine.

The city is encouraging groups to sign up for the Electric Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 1, one of the highlights of the “Merrysville for the Holidays” festival of activities that day.

“Wintery wonderland lights and sounds are never more magical in Marysville than during the ‘Merrysville for the Holidays’ community celebration,” said Doug Buell, public information officer for the city of Marysville, who described “Merrysville for the Holidays” as one of the city of Marysville’s best-attended events.

The city of Marysville Parks and Recreation Department is accepting parade entries from businesses, civic groups, sports organizations, churches, families and individuals, with walking and motorized entries both welcome.

This year’s Electric Lights Parade will line up at 5 p.m. in the Marysville Municipal Court parking lot, located at 1015 State Ave., before entrants are judged at 6 p.m. and then begin heading southbound at 6:30 p.m. on State Avenue south to Fifth Street, with the parade route ending at Comeford Park, located at 514 Delta Ave.

The cost to participate in the parade is $20 per entry. You can call the Marysville Parks and Recreation Department office at 360-363-8400 for more information, or request a parade application via email to akingsford@marysvillewa.gov. You may also sign up through Parks and Recreation’s ePlay online registration service at www.marysvillewa.gov.

While a host of winter holiday activities will run from 5-9 p.m. that afternoon in Comeford Park — including live music, food vendors, a holiday bonfire, the traditional lighting of the Marysville water tower and a family outdoor concert at 7 p.m. — the Ken Baxter Community Center in Comeford Park has been “calling all crafters” for its holiday bazaar from 2-8 p.m. that same day.

The holiday bazaar is free to shoppers, and vendors will be selling crafts both outside and inside of the Ken Baxter Community Center, after being selected by city of Marysville staff for the quality of their handcrafted gifts and goods.

While Comeford Park will be bustling with activity on Dec. 1, the Downtown Marysville Merchants Association is also aiming to show visitors a good time that day, with “Old Downtown Merrysville’s Passport to Christmas.”

Hilton Pharmacy and Carr’s Hardware will host “Strolling Musicians Bert & Herb,” who will make their way along the sidewalks of Third Street and its surrounding blocks from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At the same time, Trusty Threads will be hosting a winter coat drive, Frosco’s Greek Restaurant will be hosting a giving tree, and the Craft Mart will be hosting a blanket drive for homeless teens cared for by New Horizons Ministries.

From 1-3 p.m., the Carabinieri Bar espresso stand will be hosting an a cappella group singing “By the Way” and Santa himself. Those who bring canned or boxed food donations to the Carabinieri Bar will get their photos takes with Santa for free.

All these shops — plus Finders Keepers Furnishings, the Vintage Violet and Wrenhaven Vintage Market — will serve as sites where visitors can get their “Passports to Christmas” stamped, qualifying those store visitors to enter a drawing for first, second or third prize gift baskets.

For more information, log onto the Downtown Marysville Merchants Association’s website at www.marysvillemerchants.com.