The Festival of Trees are on display at the Twenty North Gallery in downtown Greenfield.
Submitted photos
HANCOCK COUNTY — “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches…”
So starts the holiday classic based on the 16th-century German song, “O Tannenbaum.”
Translated to “Oh Christmas Tree,” the traditional carol pays tribute to one of the most endearing symbols of the season.
The Christmas tree is being celebrated throughout Hancock County with a number of festive displays, giving visitors the opportunity to peruse an assortment of decorated trees in all their splendor.
Fortville, Greenfield, Shirley and a center just outside New Palestine are all hosting events this month.
In the corridor known as The Alley in downtown Fortville, guests can stop by at their leisure to view Trees on Main — an assortment of 20 fresh Christmas trees donated by Sambol’s Tree Farm of Fortville and decorated by local businesses and organizations.
The trees will be lit up nightly throughout the holidays and are decorated in different themes. A nearby arts studio has decorated a tree with art supplies, while the local education foundation has adorned its tree with colorful children’s gloves.
The exhibit is expected to be a big hit during the town’s Winterfest, which takes place from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
This is the first year for the Christmas tree display coordinated by Fortville Action, Inc., a volunteer-driven organization focused on enhancing the community.
Libby Wyatt, owner of nearby Libby’s ice cream shop, said it’s a great way to bring visitors downtown to enjoy the quaint shops and holiday lights.
“I’m super excited because it gives us another opportunity to attract people to Fortville and offer a nice photo op for the holidays. It’s really festive,” said Wyatt, whose shop is the spotlight sponsor of the event.
The inaugural tree display is a fundraiser for Fortville Action, Inc., which is raising funds to create an amphitheater, fountain and shelter houses in Landmark Park. Organizations decorating trees have paid to participate.
“The trees are all so cute and they make people happy, which is something we’ve needed after a rough year,” said Wyatt, who said ongoing street closures have made times tough on downtown businesses.
“There’s something about Christmas trees that make people smile, so it’s brought our community a lot of joy,” she said.
Hancock County Arts members hope their downtown Greenfield tree display has the same effect.
Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Twenty North Gallery at 20 N. State St. to see the Festival of Trees — featuring a dozen Christmas trees in the local art gallery.
“We hope it brings new people into the gallery, but we also leave them lit up all evening so people driving by can enjoy them,” said Alice Hedden, president of Hancock County Arts.
The annual event gives local businesses and nonprofits the opportunity to decorate trees that promote their organization.
A nonprofit called Changing Footprints has adorned its tree with shoes while a canine companion reading program called Bentley’s Buddies has decorated its tree with pictures of four-legged friends.
The local Riley Boyhood Home & Museum has decorated a tree with books as well as Riley’s signature spectacles and top hat.
Visitors are encouraged to stop by and cast their vote for the best decorated tree by Dec. 16, when a first and second place winner will be announced.
The gallery is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Guests can also shop the variety of locally handmade goods made in the gallery’s artisan shop, which features beaded jewelry, wooden ornaments, holiday décor and other keepsakes.
Visit HancockCountyArts.org for details.
The annual Christmas Tree Walk in the The Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House in Shirley has been a Hancock County tradition for decades.
The 24th annual walk takes place Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 8-9 at the historical home at 400 S. Railroad St.
Guests can view 25 trees decorated in various themes throughout all 16 rooms of Octagon House, which was built in 1879.
The tree walk and home tour are free, but food is sold on site to raise money for the restoration and upkeep of the home. The first weekend features chicken and noodles, dessert and a drink for $12 while the next weekend features a sandwich, soup, dessert and drink for $10.
The Christmas Tree Walk coincides with the Shirley Christmas Walk, which features a chili supper, vendors, carriage rides, door prizes, tree lighting and ringing bells to welcome the arrival of Santa.
Yet another Christmas Tree Walk is being held at the Hope Center Indy from Dec. 1-23 at 1850 Brookville Road, just west of New Palestine.
The free event features more than 60 decorated trees displayed in the nonprofit’s prayer center. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6-9 p.m. Sunday. For information, visit HopeCenterIndy.org.
