JOHN COFFELTEditor

There are few better ways to have your business associated with feelings of the warmth of the holiday season than to have it prominently featured on a holiday display to be seen by nearly 2,000 people.

To that end, the Manchester Arts Center is taking entries for its first ever Festival of Trees Christmas Fundraiser.

Organizer Danelle Aflerbaugh said the occasion will allow businesses and individuals to decorate a tree which will be seen by theater traffic throughout the month of December.

It is expected a large number of people will be able to enjoy the display due to several events to be held at the Manchester Arts Center during the month of December.

Afflerbaugh estimates that the Nutcracker will have close to 1,000 people in attendance alone, while the homeschool shows will have similar attendance in addition to the actors in the shows and the public who pass by.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to advertise to the community while supporting a local non-profit,” Afflerbaugh said.

The theme for this year’s tree display is “The Magic of Christmas.”

The Trees will be on display Dec. 1 –22.

Entries for businesses will be $50 per entry if the business provides and decorates the tree or $75 per entry if the MAC provides a tree for the business to decorate.

Private Individuals can enter for $30 to provide and decorate a tree.

Throughout the month, visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tree decorated by a business and their favorite tree decorated by an individual. The people’s choice winner for favorite tree by a business will be awarded with one-year of digital advertising at the MAC. The people’s choice winner for favorite tree by a private individual will be awarded $100 cash prize.

“In addition to being viewed by patrons who attend performances at the MAC, we plan to invite schools to attend, as well as have visiting hours for the public to enjoy the festival throughout the month,” Afflerbaugh said.

To participate contact the Manchester Arts Center via email at artatthemac@gmail.com.

The Arts Center is located at 128. E. Main St., Manchester. 

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.