Georgia Festival of Trees will kick off another holiday season with its signature multi-day festival at a new home at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth from Saturday, November 23 through Sunday, December 1. The event will feature a dazzling display of Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces and nativities for auction, Penelope (Penny) the Pink Pig, live music and entertainment, Christmas Brick Challenge, Gingerbread competition, kids’ activities and games, and boutique gift shops.
Known as the state’s largest holiday event, Georgia Festival of Trees continues to support local organizations working to end the commercial sexual exploitation of women and children in Georgia by partnering with Street Grace and Atlanta Redemption Ink.
Angie Ulibarri, Georgia Festival of Trees executive director, says: “When we started Georgia Festival of Trees four years ago, we weren’t sure how it would be received. It is remarkable to see how it’s grown and evolved into a special holiday tradition for families. The heartbeat of the festival remains the same – holiday magic with a heart to end human trafficking.”
Each tree, wreath, centerpiece and nativity at the festival is designed, decorated and donated by individuals and organizations around the Southeast, providing a beautiful array of holiday decor. Trees and other decor are auctioned off both in-person and online during the festival. The auction serves as the primary driver to support Street Grace and Atlanta Redemption Ink.
Georgia Festival of Trees will debut Penny the Pink Pig, a new pig-themed train for children and adults, inspired by the beloved Atlanta tradition originally created in 1953 by Rich’s. This new version will transport guests on a magical ride through the Georgia Festival of Trees. Rides on the Pink Pig will cost $5 per person. (The Pink Pig is a trademark of Macy’s.)
The festival offers live music and entertainment on the main stage, as well as Santa with his reindeer and life-size sleigh and Reindeer Games for the kids, which include the Elf Training Academy, the Lil’ Elves Driving Academy, LEGO® bricks, Elf Phone Booth, North Pole Post Office and more. Guests can enjoy sugar cookie decorating at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, Santa’s Workshop, a Gingerbread Competition, Christmas Brick Challenge and boutique shopping.
- For a schedule of events, to purchase tickets, become a sponsor or a volunteer, donate an auction item, or learn more about the Georgia Festival of Trees and its charity partners, visit gafestivaloftrees.org.
Jackson EMC teams among best international linemen
Daryll Bond, Jason Bond and Kevin Waters placed first in the senior division among journeyman linemen at the International Lineman’s Rodeo. Photo provided.
Two Jackson EMC journeyman lineman teams ranked among the best at the 40th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas on October 19. The competition includes more than 1,300 lineworkers who were judged on speed, agility, technique and safety procedures.
Jackson EMC sent three journeyman lineman teams and six apprentices to the international competition. A total of 227 journeymen lineman teams and 380 apprentices competed at the event. Apprentices compete as individuals, while journeymen compete in teams of three. The International Lineman’s Rodeo includes participants from electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, contractors and electric providers for the military.
A Jackson EMC journeyman team finished first in the senior division. Daryll Bond, Jason Bond and Kevin Waters, of Neese and Jefferson, earned the highest placement in their division at the competition.
A journeyman lineman team with Justin Cash, Austin Gragg and Devin Triplett, all of Jefferson, finished third in the electric cooperative division and sixth overall.
Apprentices Jerry Olivas, of Oakwood, finished eighth and Ben Adams, of Jefferson, finished 10th in the squirrel removal event.
“At Jackson EMC, we take pride in our members and employees, and a job well done. We want to be the best for our members,” said Patrick McAuliff, Jackson EMC’s Jefferson district director of engineering and operations. “The skillset and ability to follow safety procedures in the challenging events at the International Lineman’s Rodeo is a great example that our linemen are some of the best in their field.”
Jackson EMC’s participants at the International Lineman’s Rodeo earned their spots based on their performance at the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo, held in May.
Follow Us