A Tree is Found!

Greensboro Selects Christmas Tree

Greensboro has chosen its Christmas Tree!

After an appeal to the community for just the right tree, the Greensboro Better Hometown program announces that the city’s official Christmas Tree will be donated by Charlie Marshall of Union Point.

“Mr. Marshall graciously responded to our call for a tree,” explains Kendrick Harris Greensboro Better Hometown.   “Mr. Marshall’s cypress will make a wonderful Christmas tree for all of Greene County to enjoy this holiday season”. 

In 1995, Mr. Marshall planted the cypress for his wife Shirley or “Sweet Mama” as her Grand and Great Grand Children knew her. “Last year my wife Shirley passed away and I knew she would want nothing more than her beautiful tree to be displayed as the Christmas Tree for the community” states Mr. Marshall.

City workers will deliver the tree to the Court House lawn the week after Thanksgiving where it will be decorated in time for the downtown tree lighting.   The tree lighting celebration will take place on the Courthouse lawn from 6-8 pm on Friday, November 30.

There will be an old-fashioned hayride through town, and your favorite holiday tunes sung ‘round the tree!  Greensboro’s Tree Lighting event is a family favorite for the Lake Oconee area with an evening of music, food, holiday fun, and of course Santa!

“Last year my wife Shirley passed away and I knew she would want nothing more than her beautiful tree to be displayed as the Christmas Tree for the community” states Mr. Marshall.

Mr. Charlie Marshall stands beside his tree that will be lit around 7pm at the Greensboro Tree Lighting on November 30.

The Greensboro Fire Department reports that they have received a special request from the North Pole for a fire truck escort the evening of the tree lighting.  City officials can only imagine that the escort must be for Santa himself!  “We figure with the lack of snow in Greensboro that Santa’s sleigh just wouldn’t be able to make the trip into town,” comments an anonymous city employee.  Children, be sure to be in historic downtown Greensboro when Santa makes his entrance at 6 pm.

Local organizations and non-profits are encouraged to participate in the event. This year Future Farmers of America (FFA) will do their famous marshmallow roast and camp fires, Nights of Columbus will have hot cocoa and cider, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will have Greene County goodies for sale and First Call Pregnancy Center will have cookies. Your organization is welcome to take this opportunity to fundraise with goodies such as hot chocolate, baked goods, hot apple cider, candied apples and or other holiday favorites.  Choirs and choral groups are invited to carol the historic downtown throughout the evening.  To register your organization, your choirs and or choral groups please contact the Better Hometown office at (706) 453-7674.

Downtown shoppers can register for a chance to win one of several Holiday Giveaways provided by the Greensboro Business Association.  Shoppers are registered for the drawing each time they make a qualifying purchase at a participating downtown business.  The winners will be selected throughout the season starting with the Tree Lighting Program on November 30. 

Greensboro’s friendly merchants are ready to help you get all of your holiday shopping done this season – without the hectic traffic and crowds of your typical shopping mall.  Shoppers can take advantage of extended holiday shopping hours on Friday and Saturday evenings from now and continuing through December 22.

Keep an eye on your local news for additional details as Greensboro’s Holiday Plans progress and don’t forget to Shop Greensboro First this holiday season!