Want to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit? Make plans to attend the Marietta Candlelight Tour.

"Imagine you are stuck inside a snow globe for a day, but you want to be there. Everyone is happy, smiling, getting along, going around the town, being a community with one another," said Rebecca Carroll Baltozer, describing the tour. "For the day, you can experience the childhood fairytale of what it would be like to be stuck inside a snow globe. That is what Marietta's Candlelight Tour is - an unforgettable day you wouldn't want to miss."

The tour, which is hosted by Marietta Restoration Associates, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Marietta. It will feature eight private homes that will be open for tourgoers to explore and pick up holiday inspiration.

"The Marietta Christmas Candlelight Tour is all about celebrating the history, love and culture of Marietta, Pa.," said Baltozer. "This is our 59th tour, which makes us one of the oldest home tours! Tour-comers should also be on the lookout for nearby businesses open to enjoy holiday shopping, a refreshment or to come inside for warmth."

Choosing homes to feature on the tour can be a daunting task, because Marietta is filled with so many places full of history and charm.

"We have a House Hunting Committee that asks Marietta residents to be on tour to open their home," explained Joanne Dancause, Marietta Restoration Associates volunteer. "The committee has ample amounts of knowledge of the homes in Marietta. Sometimes residents come to them to be on tour. Other times we go to them!"

She emphasized that each year's tour spotlights something unique.

"It's not about having a certain 'look' to be on tour," Dancause remarked. "Everyone who comes to tour decorates differently. That is what this tour is all about - creating a tour that has a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy."

She also invites people to stop by Old Town Hall, 3 W. Walnut St., to pick up a mini house from the Cat's Meow featuring Shank's Tavern while supplies last.

Proceeds from the tour will benefit Marietta Restoration Associates and will be used for the upkeep and restoration of historic Marietta buildings.

Free parking will be available at Donegal Intermediate School, 1177 River Road, Marietta, and a shuttle bus will transport tourgoers to each of the homes on the tour as well as a downtown Marietta stop before bringing them back to their car. Three shuttle buses will run throughout the day until 7:30 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased online at a discounted rate at www.mariettarestoration.org. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of tour at Donegal Intermediate School; Old Town Hall (cash and check only); or First National Coworking, 100 W. Market St.