MARYSVILLE – For the first time in decades, the Marysville water tower will not light up this holiday season.

Instead, a live Christmas tree in Comeford Park will light up Dec. 7 as part of Merrysville for the Holidays.

The city will not light the water tower because a recent structural assessment found the walkway around the 98-year-old water tower potentially unsafe for maintenance crews. The city plans to leave the new Christmas tree at Comeford Park to enjoy through the New Year and then relocate it to another park.

After Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Comeford Park via a Marysville Fire truck, the traditional countdown will lead to the lighting of the live Christmas tree, another nearby tree and other holiday decorations. Events start at 5 p.m. with a Winter Wonderland of family activities, vendors and photo opportunities. Live music starts at 5:30, followed by the Electric Lights Parade at 6:30. Photos with Santa start at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.

Steve Smith, owner of Sunnyside Nursery, will be the grand marshal for the Electric Lights Parade on State Avenue.

Smith, who writes a garden column for The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times, is being honored for more than three decades of involvement in the community since he and his wife, Pauline, bought the nursery and moved here in 1989. They grew the nursery from a small, seasonal business to a year-round garden center, which has grown Marysville’s flower baskets for years. Smith is committed to community education and advocates for the positive impacts that home gardeners can have as environmental stewards. He plans to retire soon and hand over the business to one of his sons.