Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care officials are doing a little bragging after last Friday’s kickoff for the third annual Light Up the Night event. And we don’t blame them.

What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit.

“This year’s attendance during the Light Parade and kick off activities was heartwarming,” said Pat Mellenthin, Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care CEO, in a press release this week. “The event represents the success of a community that has supported the event from day one. Watching that success grow each year is exciting and we are so proud to be a part of bringing the community together during the holiday season.”

Mellenthin also said Friday’s parade down Main Street in Marshall and fireworks and other activities at Independence Park drew hundreds of people. And that’s in spite of the wintry weather.

A father pulling a wagon with two of his children inside had just finished the walk among all the lighting displays made up of 130,000 lights at Independence Park Saturday evening. “This is beautiful,” he told an Independent reporter

Marshall resident Larry Doom who plays the king at the Nativity Scene said Saturday “everybody will be impressed.”

Mr. Doom is spot on with his prediction.