BROWNSTOWN
It may be three months until Christmas, but the Jackson County History Center already is getting in the spirit of the holiday season.
Individuals, families, students, church groups, organizations and businesses are invited to participate in the inaugural Christmas tree display.
Starting Oct. 2, people can arrange a time to visit the center, 105 N. Sugar St., Brownstown, to set up and decorate an artificial or real tree with ornaments and lights based on the theme “A Few of My Favorite Things.”
The deadline to participate is Dec. 1.
Trees will be on display in the livery barn for the public to visit and view from Dec. 2 to Jan. 6.
“I figure after the first of the year and during the new year, if we’re here and people want to see it, we’ll open it up for people to see it,” volunteer Margo Brewer said of extending the display into January.
While visiting the display, be sure to cast your vote for the people’s choice award. Voting is open from Dec. 2 to Jan. 6 with a prize to be awarded to the winner. Trees should be removed from the history center by Jan. 31.
On Dec. 2, Brownstown’s annual Christmas celebration will be at the Jackson County Courthouse. It’s sponsored by the history center, town, Brownstown Chamber of Commerce and Brownstown/Ewing Main Street. Details about that event will be announced at a later date.
At the history center that night, people can view the Christmas tree display and listen to carolers.
Then Dec. 11 is the history center’s annual Christmas in the Village event. Starting at 6 p.m., people are invited to gather in one of the log buildings around a fire to enjoy refreshments and listen to Christmas carols.
Last year’s event was standing-room-only.
“We have a group that comes in and leads us in singing Christmas carols,” Brewer said. “We have an old-fashioned cedar Christmas tree, and there’s no lights on it. It’s decorated with era-appropriate decorations. We serve refreshments — cider and homemade cookies and hot chocolate.”
The history center’s livery barn also will be open Dec. 14, 15 and 16 so children can visit with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas.
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The Jackson County History Center is offering a Christmas tree display for the first time.
People are invited to bring an artificial or real Christmas tree to the center, 105 N. Sugar St., Brownstown, to decorate with ornaments and lights based on the theme "A Few of My Favorite Things."
Call 812-358-4697 or 812-358-2924 to make an appointment to do setup between Oct. 2 and Dec. 1.
The public can visit the display from Dec. 2 to Jan. 6 by calling 812-358-2118. From Dec. 2 to Jan. 6, visitors will have a chance to cast their vote for the people’s choice award.
The display also will be available to view during the town’s Christmas celebration Dec. 2 and the history center’s annual Christmas in the Village event, which starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 11.
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