Peachtree City will kick off the Christmas season Dec. 3 with events the whole family can enjoy.

“Peachtree City’s Hometown Holiday,” as the event is being called, will begin with a silent auction featuring eight fully lit and decorated Christmas trees. The trees, ranging in size from 4.5 feet to 7.5 feet, were donated by Home Depot and were decorated by local businesses and groups. The auction will commence at 5 p.m. and the final bids will be taken at 6 p.m. Winners of the auction will be announced at the end of the “Christmas at the Fred” program which takes place directly following the auction. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Real Life Center to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina who have relocated to the area as well as those still in the gulf region affected by the hurricane.

The Real Life Center also asks those attending the event to bring non-perishable food items, such as canned meat, canned vegetables and cereals, to donate to the Center. The Real Life Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission “to help those facing life's unanticipated challenges by offering hope, guidance and encouragement. We commit to walk alongside those we help through the trials of life.”

The Center’s executive director, Cathy Berggren, says that approximately 100 families have been helped by the Center in Katrina’s wake. “We send teams every week to the Gulf,” she said.

Currently the Center is working with 500 local families and on an average month helps 350 families. The Center works to provide financial council, career assistance, mentoring and support groups along with the food and clothing assistance they provide. This is the Center’s first year to be open full time and currently has 5 part-time staff members and over 100 committed volunteers.

“Fayette County gets painted with the affluency brush,” said Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown, adding that often people think “no one in the county needs help, but that’s just not true.”

Kevin Haglund, the event’s coordinator, wanted to steer away from the typical “Happy, Happy Christmas” approach many holiday events take. His idea was to put a more introspective focus on the event, and to encourage people to take a look at the community and to think those who don’t have family and loved ones with whom to spend the holidays.

The “Christmas at the Fred” program will consist of a concert of Christmas favorites performed by local musicians, dancers and actors and will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Directly following the concert Santa will lead the way for the “Trail of Lights,” a golf cart procession from the amphitheater to City Hall along the east shore of Lake Peachtree. Two boy scout troops have volunteered to help set up and take down approximately 2,000 non-flammable glow-stick luminaries that will light the path. The luminaries, which are being provided by Cooper Lighting, will be placed every 12 feet along the path over the entire two mile trail. The trail will take approximately half an hour and will lead into the culmination of the festivities with the “Lighting of the Grand Tree” from 8 to 9 p.m. at Drake Field.

Individuals and families are invited to come for the whole evening or for any individual portion. Those who do not have a golf cart can drive from the amphitheater to City Hall where there will be parking available at surrounding churches as well as at City Hall.

The program will go on rain or shine, although the forecast indicates good weather. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available for purchase at the amphitheater or attendees can bring their own.

Mayor Brown says he hopes to make this event a lasting tradition for the future generations of Peachtree City, an event on par with the yearly Fourth of July celebration.

This year’s organizers particularly thank the sponsors of the event who have made it possible: Frank Cawood & Associates, Platinum Sponsor; Wal-Mart, Gold Sponsor; Golden “K” Kiwanis Club, Gold Sponsor; Dogwood Church, Gold Sponsor; Cooper Lighting, Silver Sponsor; Home Depot and Peachtree City Boy Scouts.

Grab your blankets and canned goods, hop on your golf cart and head on over to the Fred this weekend to kick off the 2005 Christmas Season with “Peachtree City’s Hometown Holiday.”

login to post comments