"This is a great day to get out and get into the Christmas spirit," said Jason Spickler, describing the Marietta Candlelight Tour of Homes. "You can do some shopping, do some sightseeing and see some beautiful decorating techniques and get inspiration from them." The tour will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This is the 56th year for the event, which is sponsored by Marietta Restoration Associates (MRA). This year's tour will feature eight private homes as well as a local artist showcase, holiday marketplaces and more.

"We try to have a variety of different types of homes, some older and more historical and some newer," said Spickler, who is co-chair of the tour with Rebecca Baltozer. "We have a couple of homes featured on the tour that have never been on the tour before."

Both of the public buildings that MRA supports - the Old Town Hall Museum and the Union Meeting House - will be open during the tour as well. "The Union Meeting House will feature displays from Elizabethtown College that focus on Marietta," Spickler noted.

At Marietta Center for the Arts, a Dickens Christmas Market and Grog Shop, featuring handmade home decor, refreshments and live music, will operate the same hours as the tour. MH Art Gallery and Studio will showcase "Small Town Glow," original works inspired by small-town life, during the tour. Marietta Community House will host a vendor market, and Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 will hold a chicken and waffles dinner, Spickler said.

This year's tour will also feature a collection of Nativity scenes from members of the community. If people are interested in lending a display to share during the tour, they may contact Traci at 717-979-8521 or pastortri1016@gmail.com.

Spickler emphasized that not only does the tour offer a way to see creative decorating, but it also raises funds for MRA. The organization works to preserve and protect the history of Marietta.

"The tour is just a great community day in Marietta," Spickler said. "It's a way to bring everyone together to enjoy the town, to see some unique decorations and to have fun."

Advance tickets are available for a discount. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour at Donegal Intermediate School, 1177 River Road; Old Town Museum, 3 W. Walnut St.; and First National Escape Bank, 100 W. Market St. Parking and shuttle bus service will be available at all three locations. For more information, search for "56th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes" on Facebook.