Choose Marshall Chamber hosted the town's first-ever Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

A dazzling 26-foot LED panel tree, adorned with a majestic four-foot star, became the centerpiece of the south lawn at the historic Honolulu House, marking the official kick-off to the holiday season in Marshall.
The festive event, coinciding with Shop Small Saturday, brought the community together in a joyful celebration. "The atmosphere was magical,” shared Marshall resident Jack Reed. "Seeing the tree illuminate and hearing carols sung together really brought the holiday spirit to life."

Patty Williams, Business Development Manager at Choose Marshall, expressed her delight at the ceremony's success. "We're thrilled with the turnout of over 200 people and the positive feedback," she said. "This event truly embodied the spirit of community, with families creating lasting holiday memories."

The evening featured a heartwarming performance by the Marshall Choral Society, who even led the crowd in a rousing sing-along of two classic Christmas carols. Complimentary hot cocoa, courtesy of Kellogg Community Credit Union and Grassroots Cafe, kept everyone warm and toasty.

Two local second graders received a rousing cheer as they flipped the switch and illuminated the magnificent tree. Tudy Claus (Susan Biggs Wallace) and Janet Ostrum of Bayberry House Interiors added another layer of cheer by distributing free copies of Wallace’s new children's book, "Tudy Claus Takes a Tumble."

Adding to the community spirit, two Choose Marshall Chamber members and local non-profits also participated in the event. The Marshall Choral Society offered attendees a chance to purchase tickets to their upcoming Holiday Concert, and the Marshall United Way collected donations for their annual campaign.
Attendees were especially impressed by the collaborative spirit of the event. "It's wonderful to see how local businesses, organizations, and individuals came together to make this possible," remarked Choose Marshall CEO James Durian. "The tree is a beautiful symbol of our community's generosity and holiday spirit."

The Choose Marshall Chamber extends its sincere gratitude to all those whose contributions made this inaugural event a resounding success. Special thanks go to the Elf, Santa, and Angel level sponsors: New Horizon Property Management/Gutters R Us, Enbridge, Oaklawn Hospital, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Party Time Events, Bayberry House Interiors, Walbridge, Ford Blue Oval Battery Park Michigan, and the Tom Franke Family.

The Choose Marshall Chamber looks forward to making the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony a cherished tradition for generations to come.