Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter is official sponsor
For the second year in a row, the popular Light Up Ellijay festival, capped with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the square, will be the day after Thanksgiving on Friday. The Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) charity will serve as official sponsor, and is offering several ways to have fun, most of them pet friendly.
Sylvia Harris, president of FOGAS, said having Light Up Ellijay back in its old slot “makes sense.”
“It was moved three years ago to the following week (after Thanksgiving) so the high school band could be in the parade,” she said. “The mayor (Al Hoyle) mentioned when I was in a meeting for ‘Woofstock’ that the business owners really wanted the town to be lit up the day after Thanksgiving. And that makes sense — it’s good for business, and it gives the town a holiday spirit during that time.”
FOGAS will set up on Broad Street between the square and Sand Street, and the traffic will be for pedestrians and pets only. Harris was asked how FOGAS landed the festival.
“We were doing pictures with Santa anyway, and so we said we’ll just beef it up a little, and we’ll have Santa light the tree, and that’s how we wound up with Light Up Ellijay,” she explained.
Following are festival activities for Friday, Nov. 29, on the square:
﹣ Pictures with Santa — Taking place from 2–5:45 p.m. in the Santa House, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose with families or individuals and their pets. Pet owners are encouraged to “dress your pet in a new outfit for that special keepsake Santa picture.” There is not a contest for best pet outfit. The Clauses will be taking brief breaks during the afternoon. Photos are $10 per sitting, which can be a child, their family and pets or a group of people. Pictures with Santa will take a break at 5:45 so Santa can light the Christmas tree at 6, then resumes until 7:30.
﹣ Christmas Shoppe — On Broad Street between the courthouse and the Gilmer Chamber’s Downtown Welcome Center. There will “over 1,000 new pet items” available with a donation. The parking lot behind Dalton State College will be open.
“The donations will help support the Snippet Bus (for spays and neuters),” Harris added.
One of the items is a “Thundershirt.” She was asked to explain.
“A Thundershirt is a shirt that fits tightly on your dog and helps with your pet’s anxiety during thunderstorms and loud noises or whatever they may be anxious from,” she said.
Also, there will be 500 donated stuffed reindeer toys for dogs that Santa will be giving out to the kids.
“They’re just adorable and have this year’s date on them,” said Harris. “Every year, Petsmart of Roswell gives us a number of stuffed animals that Santa can give out to the children. We also have special pet toys for the pups and kitties too. If they bring their pet, the pet gets a toy.”
﹣ Tree lighting — Pictures with Santa ends at 5:45 so Old Saint Nick can get ready to light the tree from the courthouse steps as dark falls. Harris noted, “He has a magical touch!”
﹣ Holiday meal raffle — A raffle taking place throughout the day is sponsored by HoneyBaked Ham of Highland Shopping Center. The first-place prize is a 9-lb. ham along with a $100 gift card that will fill out the meal. Second place is a choice between a pet basket with all kinds of goodies in it (worth around $150) or a guitar from Hootenanny Music of East Ellijay.
Christmas music will be playing throughout the festival, and there will be inflated Christmas characters around Broad Street as well. Raffle winners will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. in the HoneyBaked Ham store at 29 Highland Drive, Suite 103, an East Ellijay address.
Light Up Ellijay quick facts
﹣ What? Start your holiday season off with an authentic Ellijay Christmas
﹣ When? Friday, Nov. 29, 2-7:30 p.m.
﹣ Where? Downtown Ellijay, look for all the blow-up Christmas characters and a huge Santa house
﹣ Details? Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus — pets, children and family photos for $10 each sitting
Watch Santa light the Ellijay Christmas tree in the square at 6 p.m.
Shop historic downtown Ellijay
Enjoy a delicious meal at one of Ellijay’s many restaurant choices
Enter the HoneyBaked Holiday Meal raffle.
Over 1,000 pet products available for a small donation, Merry and Bright Christmas collars and clothing outfits, Thundershirts and leashes, bike tow leashes, Disney wear, pet beds, specialty items and more.
Free parking
Santa pictures and pet product donations will benefit the pet-related community projects of Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter, an Ellijay nonprofit charity.
Sponsored by: FOGAS, Ellijay Tool Rental and East Ellijay HoneyBaked Ham Company