Festival of Trees kicks off season at Gilmer’s Library

ELLIJAY, Ga – Once again, the Gilmer County Library has opened its season for the Festival of Trees.

Lasting through most of December, until the twenty-second, the Festival is open for viewing for free on the library’s main floor. Library Manager Heath Lee tells FYN the 22 trees come from all over the county with trees from Stay Active Ellijay, Girls Scouts, Yaarabs Shrine Team 17, Walnut Mountain Garden Club, Toys for Tots and others. In addition, the library staff built their Elf banner to reading.

The Opening of the Festival, held Nov. 27, saw the Gilmer Jazz Cats and High School Chorus both headlining the night’s activities alongside “Make-and-Take” crafts with 4-H, a visit from Rackley the Reading Dog, a visit from Santa to speak with kids the entirety of the night, and refreshments while citizens viewed the trees. Lee estimated about 350 people attended the annual event.

The trees also host the Christmas season as the library will be presenting more events during the Festival. Lee was excited for key events like a visit from the Grinch to the library on Dec. 2. The Grinch will be there for kids and families. The Grinch will be hosting the families in their pajamas and “who-hair” for the event.

December 13 will see Christmas from all over the world visiting Ellijay through the use of VR (Virtual Reality) with Oculus Rift devices, The cultural experience program will allow visitors to virtually travel to countries all over the world to see how Christmas is celebrated. Learning local traditions and hearing legends of Santa will focus as the program will also allow families to make crafts to take home from the event as well.

Even more will be available throughout the month. Visit the Gilmer Library Calendar for more information and to plan the best time for your family to come see Gilmer’s Festival of Trees.

(Videos provided by Brandy Setser)

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