The City of Holly Springs has started hanging up decorations for the holidays. Top: City Special Events Coordinator Jennifer Stanley decorates the tree outside the train depot on Wednesday afternoon.
For the first time, the city will conduct a tree lighting ceremony separate from the annual parade. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the historic train depot.
The city of Holly Springs has partnered with the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council. Tree ornaments are for sale for $10, and the entire amount benefits the VAC.
“We’re calling it the Tree of Hope, and we’re taking donations through this month,” said Jennifer Stanley, events coordinator for the City of Holly Springs.
Money raised for the VAC will benefit the Last Stop fund that helps senior citizens pay for expenses like medications, home repairs and utilities when all other options have been exhausted.
The city’s tree was donated by Deerwood Christmas Tree Farm in Ball Ground.
“We’ve had a pretty good reception for our first year. We’re hoping to continue to grow in the future,” Stanley said.
The ceremony will include entertainment and light refreshments.
The city’s eighth annual Christmas parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The parade route starts at Hiram Way and ends at the historic train depot.
Ben Cagle and family, owners of Cagle’s Family Farm in Holly Springs, will be the parade’s grand marshals.
More than 20 participants are signed up for the parade, Stanley said.
After the parade, Santa will make an appearance at the historic train depot. All children will receive a complimentary photo with Santa. Entertainment and light refreshments will be on hand at the depot.
Holly Springs Elementary School will hold a raffle for three $50 Toys ‘R Us gift cards after the parade. To enter the raffle, bring 10 cans for recycling.
Holly Springs Elementary was the statewide winner in the national Great American Can Roundup during the 2011-2012 school year by recycling more than 23,000 pounds of cans.
but...
Just drive down Hwy 5 through Holly Springs and see how many of the decorations on the light poles actually work. Most are dark and I think it's a shame that someone can't restring working lights to help make the Holiday a little brighter. The depot is well lit - why not the other decorations? Makes it look depressed if you ask me.