Photo by Dwayne Black The opening kickoff Night for the Prairie Home Hospice Light Up the Night featured a parade down Main Street in Marshall on Friday night.

MARSHALL — Visitors can enjoy a winter wonderland at Independence Park again this holiday season.

Light Up the Night kicked off a month of lights and events Friday, with a lighted holiday parade downtown. The parade’s destination was the park, where visitors were treated to a fireworks display and live music.

Even if you didn’t catch the kickoff celebrations, Light Up the Night displays, featuring thousands of Christmas lights all around the park, will be going on each night between now and Dec. 31. Organizers said special events are also planned for the weekends leading up to Christmas.

This will be the ninth year that Prairie Home Hospice has organized Light Up the Night in Marshall. Prairie Home Hospice said the event is a way to give back to the community for its support over more than 40 years.

Visitors to Independence Park can see the free light displays each evening after dark. Prairie Home Hospice said additional events will also be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 28 through the weekend before Christmas. The weekend events include the option to drive through a guided tour of the light displays, or take a ride on a free Christmas trolley. From 5-8 p.m., visitors can also stop by the “Santa Hut” to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Visitors can also follow along with the Prairie Home Hospice and Light Up the Night pages on Facebook for updates on other special events, like the Reindeer Games and the “Run for A Claus” fun run with the Marshall Area YMCA. This year, Run for a Claus is planned for Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. In addition to a run through the lighted park, participants can enjoy candy canes and hot chocolate by the fire. The race donates proceeds to both Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care and programs at the YMCA.

People can contact Cory Brockman at 337-0080 with questions about Light Up the Night events.