Christmas at the Park set for December 5

Officials have announced the date for Christmas at the Park and Tree Lighting event, as December 5.

Christmas at the Park is known as the first event of the holiday season in Toccoa-Stephens County.

Each year, Christmas at the Park and Tree Lighting at the Paul Anderson Memorial Park, on the corner of Tugalo Street and Big A Road, is attended by a large crowd, anxious to welcome in the holiday season.

The events get underway Thursday, December 5 at 10:30 a.m. and continue until the Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m.

This year, Gordon Telford will light the tree.

According to Paul Anderson Park Board Member Samantha Rickman Christmas at the Park is an annual fundraiser that helps keep the park open.

Rickman says the Varsity food trucks will be on site all day and tickets will be available for the food truck closer to the event and can be purchase the ahead of time from one of the Paul Anderson Park board members.

In addition to the Varsity food truck, Rickman said there will also be a silent auction.

The Paul Anderson Park was created some 10 years ago to remember one of Toccoa’s most famous sons who overcame physical issues to gain fame as an Olympic gold medalist in weight lifting and one of the world’s strongest men.

In the 1960’s he and his wife Glenda established the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia, Georgia.

For more information on Christmas in the Park and on the life of Paul Anderson, you can visit the website at: www.paulandersonpark.org.