Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Hills & Dales Estate is gearing up to host its annual Children’s Christmas Celebration on Dec. 9 for families to enjoy. 

The event will be open to everyone in the community for free with doors opening at 10 a.m. and the festivities lasting until 1 p.m. 

With the anticipation of the event growing each year, Hills and Dales are planning on providing new fun activities and crafts for families ranging from cookie decorating, ornament crafts, visits with Santa and photo-ops with a giant gingerbread house.

“I love seeing the kids eating their freshly decorated sugar cookies while doing the other activities,” Assistant Tour & Programs Coordinator, Haley Merciers, said. “The kids love this event, and it’s great to see them smiling and enjoying themselves with their families.”

Hills and Dales Estates has been hosting special holiday children’s events since 2005, commemorating this year as the 18th anniversary of celebrating holiday cheer for families across Troup County.

Over the years, the Christmas celebration has served as a way for community members to come together to help coordinate activities for the families attending. Last year, nearly 400 people attended the event and this year the number is expected to rise. With many roles to play in organizing the event, Hills and Dales allows the LaGrange High School Service Club members to serve as volunteers to help interact with the visiting children. 

“The entire staff at Hills & Dales helps out with all of our big events, especially this one,” Merciers said. “We also normally get some volunteers from the LaGrange High School Service Club that take time out of their Saturdays to come to help the kids have a great time.”

The Hills and Dales Estates is encouraging all members of the community to participate in the holiday fun, whether it be through volunteering or simply attending the celebration. 

“We hope that our Children’s Christmas Celebration brings a little extra Christmas cheer to the community, especially for families that may not be able to take their kids to see Santa or make Christmas crafts otherwise,” Merciers said. “Some of our values at Hills & Dales are family, community, and graciousness, so we are glad that we are able to provide some free events for the community throughout the year.”