While waiting for the container ships to deliver a holiday gift you may not even remember ordering, why not come out for the second annual Christmas Festival at the Trustees’ Garden and support local artists, crafters, food vendors, and spend a day of a seasonal cheer and celebration with 100 percent chance of snow?
The event promises to be a safe, fun event filled with activities for all ages. It will feature a thriving marketplace, allowing local businesses to connect with the community and feature their products to holiday shoppers.
Kathy Kurazawa is spearheading the event for Trustees’ Garden and she even came out of retirement to help.
“I worked for Mr. (Charles H.) Morris for 34 years and worked on the first winter festival in 2019,” Kurazawa said. “Just like everything else in our lives, COVID changed events, so we weren’t able to hold it last year. However, we’re thrilled to be able to bring this lively event to the community again this year.”
Morris, the Garden’s benefactor, chimed in: “The whole idea with this [festival] was to get families and children together over the holidays, and particularly around Christmas time because the kids are home from school and families are often looking for stuff to do.”
The first event was a great success and the organizers are hoping for an even better turnout in 2021.
“The first one… I think we had about 1,700 people come,” Mr. Morris said. “We had snow and sledding.” He broke into a laugh and added, “There were almost more adults going on the sled run… it was a lot of fun to see it.”
The main attraction, of course, is the snow. Snow machines will grind 60 tons of ice to a fine white powder and pump it across the slight incline behind Kehoe Ironworks.
“Folks will go down the slide on saucers,” Kurazawa said. “Come early because the weather is supposed to be nice and we’re sure to have some slush toward the end of the day.”
There wil also be a bounce-house, a rock wall to climb, obstacle courses, a tumbling area, a trackless train—for small children five and under—as well as other expected event amenities such as a nursing tent.
Masks are optional, as it is 100 percent outdoors, but no outside food is allowed.
“Security will wand folks as they enter, do bag checks, and take a quick temperature check,” Kurazawa said. “The Trustees’ Garden is such a beautiful atmosphere and one of the biggest outdoor event and green spaces in Savannah outside of Forsyth Park. It’s the perfect spot for coming out to see friends and neighbors and to experience the spirit of the season.”
As for vendors, Kurazawa said they expect plenty of options for attendees. “We have very talented and creative local artists, crafters, and cookie vendors, to name a few. The Savannah Ghost Pirates [the new ECHL hockey team] will have a table with information about the upcoming season.”
Chazito’s and Leopold’s will have food available for sale.
“We’ll have beer, water, and hot chocolate stations, as well,” Kurazawa said. “We also have a coloring contest for kids and will be showcasing the winners at the Kehoe Center.”
Seasonal music will be piped throughout the location to get into the holiday mood. And if that’s not enough, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be appearing from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. and available for pictures with kids. (No pets, please.)
Mr. Morris is hopeful event will meet expectations: “I think this will even be more successful, so I’m excited about it. I just think people are looking for things to do. Kids are out of school and they’re just hanging out, at least, that’s what people tell us, so I hope it’ll be a big success.”
Kurazawa agreed: “I’m very proud of what we have organized. It’s going to be a great family day to get out and see people, get ready for the season, support local businesses, and just have fun. I was more than happy to come out of retirement to make this happen.”
Mr. Morris is already looking forward to 2022 and further.
“We’re going to be doing more of these kinds of things,” he said. “We want to help get people together. I think it’s so important to know your neighbor(s) and your friends. So often, we get busy with our careers, life, and families that we don’t really have a chance to visit with each other enough. We hope this event helps change that.”
The Trustees’ Garden Christmas Festival is Saturday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. at the historic Kehoe Ironworks, 660 E. Broughton St.
Tickets are $20 if purchased ahead of the event and $25 at the door the day of the event.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
For information on the coloring contest, click HERE or look for the entry in this week’s edition of Connect Savannah.
