Downtown holiday festivities begin tonight

The festivities begin at 7:30 tonight with the Miss Merrie Christmas pageant at Central High School Auditorium. About 50 Springfield high school girls will compete for the top prize, which includes a $2,000 scholarship, jewelry from Justice Jewelers, flowers, gift certificates, gift baskets and tickets to “The Nutcracker.”

Candyland at the Footbridge on Jefferson Avenue will offer free toys and candy to children and a chance to visit with Santa Claus noon-–2 p.m. Saturday.

The six-week 2005 Festival of Lights celebration will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Jordan Valley Park. Mayor Tom Carlson and the newly crowned Miss Merrie Christmas will light the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Jordan Valley Park, followed by a parade by Springfield’s first-grade students.

The event continues inside Jordan Valley Ice Park, where the Jordan Valley Figure Skating Club will perform a free ice show at 6:30 p.m. Free public skating follows 7–8 p.m. Skate rentals are $2.50

Also at 7 p.m., the Missouri State University hockey team will play against Palmer College. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and MSU faculty and staff.

The 20th annual Festival of Trees auction begins at 8:30 p.m. at the Discovery Center. Christmas trees will be sold at auction to benefit the center, and there will be food and entertainment. Tickets cost $60.

Carriage rides through the park by Shires for Hire will be available Saturday night following the tree-lighting ceremony. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.