The Gilmer County Library will show off its 2022 Festival of Trees, while hosting other fun activities, at a holiday open house Thursday, Dec. 8. The event will last from 5:30-7 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to visit the public library at 268 Calvin Jackson Drive to view and take pictures with/of the more than 20 Christmas trees that have been creatively decorated by local businesses, organizations and clubs.
This year’s tree decorator list includes the Coosawattee Shrine Club, the Craddock Center, Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter, the Garden Club of Ellijay, Gilmer County Girl Scouts, Friends of the Gilmer Library and several others.
“People can come and enjoy the tree displays, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there visiting with patrons. There will be some fun games, music and refreshments. We had great attendance last year,” said Alex Thomerson, library manager.
The tree displays will remain up through December, but the library will be closed for the holidays Dec. 23-26, Thomerson noted.
Before Christmas gets here, the library will host another holiday event, a live reading of “The Polar Express,” Thursday, Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m.
“We’re excited to feature our ‘Polar Express’ event in person again this year,” said Thomerson. “Sharon Key, our youth services specialist, will be giving a dynamic retelling of ‘The Polar Express.’ Like at the open house, we’ll also be having special treats and music for patrons.”
Both the library open house and the “Polar Express” event are free to attend and open to the public.
Thomerson said the library also has a winter literacy program, which started Dec. 1 and will run through Jan. 31.
“Patrons can read books, attend programs and participate in other activities to earn credit toward prize drawings. Patrons can log their activities through Beanstack, and we also have a paper form available at the library,” he added.