The Marshall's grand opening has been scheduled for Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, according to Hotel spokesman Christina Anderson.

Specific details have not been released, but Anderson said developer/investor Jerry Cargill and his wife Judy, and the hotel project management team, want the community to know that a specific grand opening date has been selected.

"We'd also like to let the community know that we'll be making a very special announcement related to The Marshall on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m., on the west lawn of the historic hotel property," Ms. Anderson said, calling the announcement "wonderful news" that will be "very exciting and beneficial to the community."

A third annual "Light Up the New Year" New Year's Eve celebration will also be held at The Marshall this year, she said, complete with the countdown to midnight and the traditional lowering of the lighted ball.