Harris Arts Center brings holiday cheer with Festival of Trees for Christmas Open House

“and last year was a tough year for everyone and it is so nice to see the entire community come together for this event. i’m so thrilled how everything turned out excited to see everyone’s faces as they visit and bid on trees this year.”

The Harris Arts Center has come alive with a forest of trees bearing holiday cheer this Christmas.

The arts center does Christmas Open House a little differently from other downtown shops each year. Instead of offering sales, deals or giveaways, the HAC opens its doors for the annual Festival of Trees silent auction, its most popular fundraiser of the year.

More than 300 people are estimated to visit each season to take a look at the community’s creative twist on holiday décor. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is waning, the HAC hopes that its celebration will bring a bit of festiveness to those visitors.

“Last year was a tough year for everyone and it is so nice to see the entire community come together for this event,” said Executive Director Miranda Bentley. “I’m so thrilled how everything turned out and excited to see everyone’s faces as they visit and bid on trees this year.”

Included in the festive holiday display of more than 94 entries are table-top Christmas trees, wreaths, locally-crafted pottery pieces, centerpieces, specialty gift baskets, and larger pieces of art. Themes for some of this year’s trees include whimsical and traditional trees and décor, as well as items for pets, sports fans and children.

All items will be available for silent auction, which will also continue to feature an online bidding component. Bentley said she hopes that the online element will encourage those who still do not yet feel comfortable visiting in person to still participate in the festive cheer.

All the items up for auction have been donated or sponsored by local individuals and businesses. The Festival of Trees is sponsored by the Gordon County Convention and Visitors Bureau, AdventHealth Gordon, the Downtown Development Authority, and Turner Heat and Air.

The final day of bidding will be Sunday, Dec. 5. Harris Arts Center will be open that day to facilitate any late bidders.

“A huge shout to all the elves and donors who help bring this Harris Arts Center tradition to life! The arts center has the best volunteers and donors around and this event would not have happened without each one of them,” Bentley said.

The Harris Arts Center is open Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Harris Arts Center will also be participating in Holiday Open House.

The HAC will have modified hours during the week of Thanksgiving. Admission is free.

Call 706-629-2599 for more information about holiday events this season, and visit https://harrisartscenter.com/ festival-of-trees-auction/ to bid online.

Cat Webb Trees adorn the bottom floor of the Harris Arts Center for its Festival of Trees.

Cat Webb The Festival of Trees runs through the month of November at the Harris Arts Center, 212 S. Wall Street.

Cat Webb The event features over 94 entries of varying themes, all of which will be available in a silent auction.

Cat Webb Aside from the impressive array of trees, there are gift baskets and other goodies up for grabs in the auction.