Published: November 18, 2008 06:52 pm         

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Employees with Gardendale’s parks and recreation department are officially in the Christmas spirit.

City workers have been in the process of decorating the city for the holidays since the beginning of this month.

Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Stan Hogeland said workers started testing the snowflakes the second week of October and began putting them up on light poles the first week of November.

“It’s about a six week process from once we start getting them out and repairing them,” he said. “We try not to get them up too early, but we have so many and it takes so much time.”

Other elements of the city’s decorations include icicle lights and lighted reindeer on Decatur Highway and Fieldstown Road.

The only major decorating difference residents may notice this year is the 16-foot tall artificial Christmas tree in front of city hall on Main Street. The pre-lit Christmas tree was installed on Monday.

Hogeland said the tree cost the city about $7,265. The parks and recreation department has an annual Christmas decorating budget of about $10,000.

Hogeland said a decision was made earlier this year to purchase the tree after a deodar cedar tree that was in front of city hall was cut down.

In years past, the city has typically left holiday decorations up through the end of January. However, Hogeland said workers would begin taking the decorations down shortly after the first of the new year.



Beautification contest

Gardendale residents have a new motivation to show their Christmas spirit this year — a residential decorating contest.

The Gardendale Beautification Commission is sponsoring a contest for homeowners and businesses within the city limits who want to be judged on the merits of their decorating skills.

Commission member Hazel Butts said the city had a similar contest several years ago and this year seemed like a good time to revive it.

“We’re going to look for really decorative Christmas scenes,” she said.

The commission will present prizes to first, second and third-place winners.

Applications for the contest can be picked up at city hall, the public library and the Gardendale Civic Center and must be returned by Dec. 8. Homes and businesses will be judged on Dec. 15.

Applications can be returned to city hall or mailed to: Gardendale Beautification Commission, P.O. Box 1681, Gardendale, AL, 35071.