The city of Fort Oglethorpe dedicates its Christmas tree during a ceremonial tree planting at the Polo Field.More Info
Another local holiday tradition is being resurrected Dec. 10. LaFayette is hosting its Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.“The city did it about 10 years ago, but we are bringing it back,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jason Shattuck.As soon as he took over that role in mid-September, he said, people began asking him to bring back the bazaar.The day will begin with a tree planting that morning, and arts, crafts and bake sale vendors will be set up in the Municipal Gym at 638 S. Main St.Vendors will be accepted through Dec. 9. Each booth rental costs $20.“We will have people from out of the county and city represented,” Shattuck said.To learn more, contact LaFayette Recreation Center’s Debra Bell at 706-639-1590.
Christmas is all about tradition, and one that features prominently in most celebrants' households is the tree.
This year - and, presumably, for many years to come - the city of Fort Oglethorpe will be no different. Officials and the city's Tree Council met to plant a Christmas tree on the polo field in late October, and the tree is already a hallmark of the season's focuses: It was donated by Modern Woodmen agent Shane Catlett and blessed by Father Bill Williams of St. Gerard Catholic Parish in Fort Oglethorpe.
"The Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, planted the Post's original Christmas tree in the 1930s," said 6th Cavalry Museum Executive Director Chris McKeever, referring to the historic army outpost that originally used the polo field. "The tree was lit and seasonal activities were held around the tree."
When the U.S. entered World War II, the celebration was taken over by the city, she said.
"Then the neighborhood association, Post Community Association, attempted to keep the tradition alive while conducting a Christmas Tour of Homes through the end of the 1980s," said McKeever.
The tree will be the center of activities during the city's inaugural Christmas at the Post family festival, being held Saturday, Dec. 10 starting at 6 p.m. in conjunction with the city's annual Christmas Parade. Following the parade, which ends at the polo field, Christmas choirs will sing while the tree is lit and there will be other activities.
Participants are asked to bring one unwrapped toy for the Catoosa County Stocking Full of Love.
"It's a great opportunity for families to get together and enjoy holiday music and traditional family time on the Polo Field," said Mayor Pro-Tem Paula Stinnett. "It's Fort Oglethorpe where 'Families are First.'"
For participation details, the parade route, or more information, visit fortogov.com or call the parade information line at 706-858-4639. This year's grand marshal is Helen Shavers, mother of the late Baxter Shavers, a former Catoosa County Sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed by a robbery suspect in 1978.
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Also this weekend is Chickamauga’s annual Christmas in the Streets celebration. On Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the downtown area will play host to shopping, food, music, inflatables and a gingerbread house contest, with the Christmas Movie Memories Parade starting at 6:30 p.m.A similar celebration is also taking place in Ringgold that day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas at the Colonnade features craft vendors, photos with Santa and a Christmas movie. Santa will arrive at 2 p.m.And the Gordon-Lee Mansion is hosting its annual Candlelight Tours Dec. 9 and 10 from 6-8 p.m. each evening. The mansion will be lit throughout by hundreds of candles and decorated with antebellum period handmade decorations, and musicians will perform period-seasonal music.Admission costs $5 adults and $1 for those age 12 and under. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Gordon-Lee Mansion, a 501(c)(3) organization.