39th annual Christmas Walk opening up in Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD-The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce will defy the economic odds this month, kicking off the town?s annual Christmas shopping spree with the events of their 38th annual Christmas Walk.Festivities kick off with a holiday shopping preview party Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at nearly 50 downtown businesses and retailers, featuring free hors d?oeuvres and light Christmas music at The Barnacle, Christmas with a Caribbean flair at Carol Kent Yacht Charters, 144 Pleasant St., a holiday hostess sale event at Talbots, 1 Spring St. and aGingerbread Preview Party at the Lee Mansion, sponsored by the Marblehead Museum & Historical Society, 170 Washington St. Tickets for the gingerbread event are $30 in advance and $40 at the door, and attendance is limited to 150.The celebration kicks into high gear Friday at 7 p.m., when the Chamber and the Marblehead Festival of Arts will hold the annual tree lighting at Abbot Hall. The “Person of the Year,” National Grand Bank President Barry Weed will lead the countdown to light the holiday spruce, and the Merry Mixers, Friends of North Shore Children?s Hospital, pick the winning ticket for the Chamber?s 50-50 Raffle with a $10,000 prize and a $10,000 donation going to Children?s Hospital.Santa Claus will land in town, arriving by boat Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the State Street Landing.The Christmas Walk Parade will be Saturday, starting at 11:45 a.m. at the State Street Landing and continuing onto Washington Street and then Atlantic Avenue ending at Seaside Park.The Marblehead Festival of Arts will be using Abbot Hall for the Artisans Holiday Marketplace Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Saturday events include a pancake breakfast at Old North Church, holiday fairs at St. Michael?s Church, the Salem Five Cent Savings Bank, Marblehead Community Center, Lafayette Nursing Home, Marblehead Charter School and Marblehead Arts Association.The Visiting Nurses Association is offering flu shots at the Marblehead Bank Saturday morning for $25.At 2 p.m. Hand in Hand Massage, 12 State St., will sponsor the First Annual King?s Rook Chess Tournament, open to Marbleheaders of all ages and all experience levels. Chess Master Mikhail Perelshteyn will act as tournament director. Pre-registration is required and there is a $10 fee.