News Release For immediate release

December 5, 2017

Free Community Jingle Bell Ball is this Saturday

MARFA - Put on your dancing shoes, the whole town is invited to the City of Marfa's Jingle Bell Ball! The community-wide celebration includes a free holiday dinner, dessert potluck, canned food drive, silent auction, and dance hosted by Mayor Ann Marie Nafziger and city staff this Saturday, December 9 at the USO building.

Festive attire is encouraged and dinner begins at 6:00 pm. Tamales by Officer Gil Carillo and chili verde con carne by Delfin Lopez will be served, with sides prepared by city staff and council members. Folks are welcome to bring beverages of their choice; water and iced tea will be available. Please bring a dessert to share.

There will be plenty of activities for kids under the direction of local artists and educators Michael Roch and Adele Powers of Chinati Foundation, from 6 – 7:30 pm. Burt Compton, of Marfa Gliders and the Moondogs, will lead willing participants in Christmas carols. (Not to worry, he’s got song lyrics in case you don’t know all of the verses and has lots of jingle bells for accompaniment.)

Marfa Public Schools’ very own Ballet Folklorico will perform at 7:15 pm, with traditional music and dancing. Santa Claus arrives at 8:00, escorted by Marfa Police Chief Estevan Marquez. Those who like can share their wish list or have pictures taken with Saint Nick.

DJ Lesley Brown Villarreal will start the dance music around 8:00 pm. Count on council member Brit Webb, who reportedly just bought a brand new pair of dancing shoes, to keep things lively on the dance floor until 11:00 pm.

Please note, all events are free of charge, with a suggested donation of non-perishable food items for the Marfa Food Pantry. A donation area will be set up in the USO entrance with Mayor Pro- Tem Manuel Baeza and Council Member Genevieve Bassham collecting canned food and other items.

Suggested items to donate include canned fish or meat; peanut butter; canned vegetables (especially corn, beans, and green beans;) and dried pasta or rice. There will be a silent auction table with overnight stays at local hotels, gift cards, and items from over twenty local businesses available for bid, with all proceeds benefitting the Food Pantry.

For more information, call City Hall at 432 729 3158.