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Festival delights young and old for generations
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LIMA - The Christmas Tree Festival in Lima has become an institution in the area, with generations of families making the event a holiday tradition.
The festival kicks off at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market St., and continues through Dec. 7. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Dec. 6; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission is free.
"You can talk to people who have been coming for years," said Pat Smith, museum director.
The festival is in its 36th year and is held by the Allen County Historical Society, Church Women United and the Lima YWCA. This year more than 75 decorated trees, wreaths and tabletops are included.
Marty Hutchison is a festival co-chairwoman from the historical society and volunteers during the festival. She said she enjoys watching the people who visit the festival and to hear how much they enjoy it. But her favorite part?
"I really like the talking tree," she said.
Evergreen the Talking Christmas Tree has entertained children at the festival for years and speaks with the help of a "special" crown it wears. Hutchison is one of many volunteers who voices Evergreen.
"It's pretty awesome to be a tree," she said. "(The talking tree) make them feel loved."
Smith said volunteering as Evergreen's voice is a daunting task and many times kids will pour their hearts out to the tree.
"It's not like talking to Santa with a list. You never know what's going to come out of their mouths," Smith said. "The people that do this know they have to handle any situation that comes along."
Last year more than 10,000 people attended the festival. In addition to the museum, the MacDonell House will be decorated, the Children's Discovery Center in the museum will feature crafts for kids with a German holiday theme and entertainment will be ongoing. Call 419-222-9426 for details.
WHAT: Christmas Tree Festival
WHEN: Wednesday through Dec. 7
WHERE: Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market St., Lima
COST: Free
FOR MORE INFO: 419-222-9426
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