GEORGIA FESTIVAL OF TREES CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/5/21
Holiday Nonprofit Highlights Landmarks Around Atlanta With Special Events, Family Photos With Santa
Georgia Festival of Trees, an Atlanta nonprofit and seasonal display benefitting Wellspring Living, is celebrating Christmas in July with appearances from Santa Claus at notable landmarks around the city. Including special events, family photos with Santa and more, stops during his ‘summer vacation’ will include Centennial Olympic Park on July 10, Georgia Aquarium on July 16, College Football Hall of Fame on July 17, Ponce City Market on July 24, Children’s Museum of Atlanta on July 27, and more throughout the month.
With the aim to generate excitement ahead of the Christmas holiday and to promote its signature event in December, Georgia Festival of Trees is partnering with organizations across the metro-Atlanta area to provide early opportunities for families to celebrate the season after missed time together in 2020.
“Last year, many families were apart and didn’t have the chance to take photos with Santa, spend time together in-person and continue those traditions that make the holiday season so special,” said Angie Ulibarri, president and CEO of the Georgia Festival of Trees. “Christmas in July is just one way we hope to bring folks back together to create memories with one another, in the same way the community will at the Georgia Festival of Trees in December. What matters most is connection with loved ones and we’re excited to bring that back to life a little early this year.”
Starting July 10th, Santa will greet his sleigh at Centennial Olympic Park to ensure it’s ready for Christmas. Throughout the month, Santa will toss the football with visitors at the College Football Hall of Fame, explore marine life at Georgia Aquarium, join participants at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and enjoy a sweet treat with King of Pops at Ponce City Market.
“Our team is committed to making this a transformative event for metro Atlanta’s first post-pandemic Christmas,” Ulibarri said. “We are excited to partner alongside Atlanta organizations to establish the Georgia Festival of Trees as a new tradition that Atlanta families will cherish for years to come.”
Georgia Festival of Trees is a five-day event holiday celebration slated for Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, 2021, at the Georgia World Congress Center. The event will bring a display of more than 300 large and small Christmas trees, entertainment and live music, a silent auction, shopping, and more to raise funds for Wellspring Living, a local nonprofit working to transform lives of sex trafficking victims. Organizations and businesses around Atlanta are invited to donate their own custom Christmas trees, the centerpiece for the family-friendly celebration, in support of the mission of Wellspring Living. Options to donate wreaths, nativity scenes, centerpieces, festive playhouses, and other Christmas collectibles and decor are available as well.
“There are many ways community members can make a real difference during the holiday season,” Ulibarri said. “They can get involved by spreading the word about our Christmas in July event, donating an auction item, joining the volunteer team, or becoming a corporate sponsor. We are excited to provide an opportunity where Atlanta citizens can spread Christmas cheer year-round while supporting a local nonprofit at the same time.”
To learn more about Christmas in July, Georgia Festival of Trees, how to become a sponsor and more, visit gafestivaloftrees.org. To learn more about Wellspring Living and its transformative work in the fight against sex trafficking, visit wellspringliving.org.
