A full weekend of activities is planned to celebrate the Christmas season in Salem this Friday night and Saturday.
Activity begins Friday night from six to eight with a Community Christmas Carnival at the Salem Community Activity Center sponsored by the Marion County YMCA and the City of Salem.
Salem Recreation and YMCA Director Jed Casburn says other groups have joined them to make the evening possible.
“We are going to have lots of games, free food, everything is free this year by the way. This year is carnival style. We had businesses and organizations that have had interest so they will be doing their own booths. Our Christmas Committee is working towards getting the community involved more. We are very thankful for that. Crafts, prizes, bounce house and hopefully some good food.”
Casburn says activity then moves to the 100 block of South Broadway on Saturday from two to six for Christmas on Broadway.
“We are going to start it off with the movie “Elf” at the Salem Theater at 2pm and should end around 3:30. We are going to have food trucks. Have the street closed down there by the ABC. Santa’s arrival will be here again, with Santa pictures, tree lighting and Mrs. Claus at the Historical Museum.”
Santa’s arrival time at Sweeney Corner is 3:45 pm. The tree lighting is at 5:45 pm.
The Gift of Magic Toy Drive will also provide local youth with new toys that will be collected at several locations through Friday as a partnership between Saved with Amazing Grace and the Marion County YMCA. New packaged toys can be dropped off at the Salem American Legion, Salem Dollar General, Salem City Hall, Iuka State Bank, Country Creek Treasures, Rural King, Salem Township Hospital, Peoples State Bank and the Apostolic Church.
The Salem Community Band and Choir will perform at seven both Friday and Saturday nights at the Salem Community Theatre. The Christmastime Is Here Program has traditional and contemporary Christmas Music along with a sing-a-long of Christmas Favorites. Tickets are available at Salem City Hall with any remaining tickets to be sold at the door.
