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Tinsel Trail, the forest of Christmas trees that has filled Lafayette Square over the holidays in recent years is expanding to Sweetland Amphitheatre this year.

Tinsel Trail is a display of decorated Christmas trees in Downtown LaGrange. The annual event serves as a fundraising campaign to support Circles of Troup County, a non-profit that exists to identify and eliminate the causes of poverty and support those wishing to lift themselves out of poverty.

This holiday season marks the third annual Tinsel Trail, which traditionally fills the square in LaGrange.

Circles Director Sherri Brown said the event has gotten so much support they are running out of space on the square, so they are adding trees to Sweetland Amphitheatre. This year, the trail has expanded from 65 trees to 91 trees.  Brown said 78 will be at the square, and the rest will be at Sweetland around the ice skating rink.

Each year, businesses, individuals and organizations sponsor a tree. They either decorate it themselves or sponsor it for another organization, typically a non-profit, to decorate. Proceeds from the event go to support Circles and the work they do helping people escape poverty.

Opening night for the trail is Friday, Nov. 22, at the square when the lights go on. Santa Claus will make an appearance starting at 4:30 p.m., so kids can bring their wish lists, and parents can grab a photo. The Young Singers of West Georgia will also perform at 5:30 p.m.

Friday is also a Sip & Shop night, so there will be plenty to do downtown after viewing the trees.

The tree decorating contest is back, too. People can vote for their favorite trees using a QR code.

Brown said the event has been a success for Circles, and it’s growing.

“We’ve raised about twice as much this year as we had last year,” Brown said. “We have to raise 100% of our budget every year, and this has become about a third of our budget.”

“It keeps us going and keeps us doing what we do, but it’s also really great for the community, and it’s great to have a little more visibility in the community as an organization, but also to do something that is just enjoyable and magical for everyone.”