If you go
› What: Festival of Trees and Mistletoe Market.› When: Tuesday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Dec. 11.› Where: Harris Arts Center, 212 S. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga.› Admission: Free.› Phone: 706-629-2599.› Website: www.harrisartscenter.com.
Save the date
The Festival of Trees isn’t the only Christmas jump-start. Here are more of the earliest events on the calendar.› Nov. 1-30: “42nd Holiday Show” at In-Town Gallery› Nov. 1-Dec. 31: Holiday Book Drive for Ronald McDonald House at Barnes & Noble› Nov. 3-5: Book Lovers & Holiday Delights Book Sale at Chattanooga Public Library› Nov. 4: Excerpts from the upcoming production of “White Christmas” by Storyteller Productions at Barnes & Noble› Nov. 4-5: Holiday open house at Merchants on Main› Nov. 4-5: High Cotton Christmas Market at Ringgold Feed & Seed Antiques› Nov. 4-Dec. 3: Festival of Trees at Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, Ga.› Nov. 4-Dec. 18: “A Christmas Story” at Cumberland County Playhouse, Crossville› Nov. 5: Santa arrival parade and Reindeer Dash 5K at Hamilton Place› Nov. 5: The Salvation Army’s kettle campaign kickoff› Nov. 5-6: Times Free Press’ Ho-Ho Expo at Chattanooga Convention Center› Nov. 5-6: Christmas Open House Festival at The Barn NurserySubmit your events, holiday or otherwise, to the online calendar at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
A favorite holiday tradition returns to Harris Arts Center in Calhoun, Ga., on Tuesday, Nov. 1: the 12th annual Festival of Trees and Mistletoe Market.
Admission is free into this wonderland of Christmas trees, wreaths and centerpieces. Individuals and businesses have tapped into creative muses to decorate all of the pieces, and the public may bid for the rights to take one home in a silent auction. A new feature this year will be specialty gift baskets packed with prizes.
"We have more than 60 entries this year," says Executive Director Toni Molleson. "I think everyone will be pleased with everything there is to see."
Decor themes run the gamut from traditional to whimsical. Past favorites have been a Cat in the Hat tree, trees in the shape of a snowman and Santa Claus, a dancing reindeer tree, woodland trees, a ladder tree, sports trees, princess trees, a welded rebar tree and a cat tower tree, to name a few.
Color schemes are just as varied, from traditional red and green to eye-popping fuchsia and lime. Motifs range from rustic to refined.
Molleson says the final day for Festival of Trees will be Sunday, Dec. 11. In addition to regular hours of operation (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays), the arts center will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each Saturday during the promotion as well as two Sundays: 1-6 p.m. during Calhoun's Downtown Open House on Nov. 20 and 1-5 p.m. on the closing day, Dec. 11.
Festival of Trees is one of the arts center's largest fundraisers of the year. Proceeds support the Roland Hayes Museum, plays, concerts and children's programming.
Also adding funds to the holiday campaign will be the Holly Jolly Ladies Lunch. At noon on Tuesday, Nov. 15, guests will enjoy a catered lunch by David Burton of Wall Street Catering. The holiday centerpieces at each table will be raffled off during the luncheon. Afterward, guests may tour the Festival of Trees and shop the Mistletoe Market. Luncheon tickets are $20. Reservations are needed as seating is limited.