COLBERT COUNTY-For many Tennessee Valley residents, the Christmas season begins with a trip to LaGrange College Site Park in Colbert County.
The LaGrange Living Historical Association’s annual Christmas in the Country celebration attracts people from several states to the tiny mountaintop community south of Leighton. This year’s celebration is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 – Sunday, Nov.19 at the LaGrange College Site. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.
Christmas in the Country organizer Louise Lenz said the celebration will include vendors and artists, hayrides and tours of historic LaGrange Cemetery. For more details on becoming an arts and crafts vendor or demonstrator, contact Lenz at louiselenz9324@gmail.com.
Susann Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said Christmas in the Country provides a glimpse of what holiday celebrations were like 150 years ago.
The historical buildings at the park will be decorated to resemble and old-time Christmas. Lenz said some of the Christmas
trees that will be on display will be decorated as early settlers would have trimmed theirs, by using bird’s nests and other natural materials.
She said there will be plenty of cakes, pies, cookies and other treats at the ever popular Christmas in the Country Bake Sale.
Both Santa and Mrs. Claus will attend the celebration. Lenz said Christmas in the Country is a popular place for making Christmas card photos with Santa.
Students from throughout north Alabama will attend the first day of the event. Lenz said it’s important for children to learn about pioneer Christmas celebrations.
LaGrange College was Alabama’s first chartered college and the forerunner of the University of North Alabama. It was burned by Union forces during the Civil War. LaGrange College Site Park is located off Alabama 157, 8 miles southeast of Muscle Shoals.
If skies are clear, the observatory at the park will be open for star gazing after dusk on Friday, Nov. 17. In addition, if skies are clear, the mountain top park will be a great place to view the Leonid meteor shower that night.
For more details about the festival, call Colbert County Tourism at 256-383-0783.
