The City of Young Harris will ring in the holidays and celebrate its 130th anniversary as a municipality during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting tradition on Friday, Dec. 5.
At 6 p.m., Mayor’s Park – that’s 50 Irene Berry Drive in Downtown Young Harris – will become merry and bright after nightfall, promising involvement from much of the community.
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This year’s festivities combine two causes for merriment. To start the evening, a brief history of Young Harris will be shared after Mayor Andrea Gibby welcomes attendees to the beloved Tree Lighting event.
Main Street Director Rosemary Royston calls the collection of history a “group effort,” noting that while she was able to compile some events, the Towns County Historical Society’s Tyler Osborn, Jerry Taylor and Jason Lee Edwards helped “fill in the gaps.”
Speaking of which, Taylor will lead part of the presentation by providing some particular historical highlights. As Towns County Historian, Taylor is well suited to the task.
A sheet cake will be available for all to partake in while it lasts, and Enotah Garden Club volunteers will hand out cookies, as always, to children and parents alike. Coffee and hot chocolate will also be up for grabs.
To add a visual element to stepping back through the city’s history, three notebooks with photos of significant Young Harris locations and families compiled throughout the years will be available for guests to page through at their leisure.
Towns County Elementary School’s littlest choir will be providing musical entertainment that evening, marking the start of the annual Christmas program alongside a prayer administered by Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church Rev. Craig Hutto.
Kiddos are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa, but if they haven’t had a chance to write one up, they’re welcome to sit down and compose something there at the event, as there will be a special station set aside for the activity.
Granted, they could just wait and tell the jolly old elf himself – Santa will of course be making his annual appearance, which will include storytelling before hearing the wish lists of eager little ones ready for the season.
Also new to this year is the fact that Santa will have a gift for every child who visits him. Keep in mind that it may come in handy later that evening as part of the festivities.
In line with tradition, attendance and refreshments are free, and Mayor Gibby, for one, encourages everyone to come out and enjoy celebrating the holidays as a community.
“The magic of the season is in the joy we find together,” Gibby said. “This year is extra special because it is our 130th anniversary. Come celebrate with us.”
