A pair of Clinton business owners have combined forces to create an event that has the community buzzing.
By this time next week, it's entirely likely the Mr. Lincoln Square in Clinton will be filled with hand-decorated Christmas trees. Nate Ennis, owner of Nate Ennis State Farm Agency in Clinton, and Missy Morris, owner of Sweet Mae's Ice Cream Shoppe in Clinton, came together in late October to start this herculean effort to put on what is becoming a big event for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 in downtown Clinton.
As Ennis and Morris started putting information out on social media, Ennis indicates he was very encouraged by the response to this. They sold 63 trees and there was tremendous interest from community groups, families, and businesses to decorate trees for this event.
The trees will be on display throughout the month of December with a big tree-lighting event on Saturday, Nov. 25. Ennis hopes to see this be a big draw for the downtown businesses.
The tree-lighting event will have a lot going on. Ennis and Morris have rallied numerous community businesses and groups to participate and offer free food and drinks and Morris will be leading an activity for the kids.
For the inaugural year, Morris and Ennis are both very excited about the enthusiasm from the community. Morris explains she's had people coming to her ice cream shop to express their gratitude to be able to honor a loved one who has passed.
Trees were $50 to purchase to be decorated. On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Ennis told Regional Radio it is entirely likely will not make back what it costs to allow the trees to be displayed on the square.
The City of Clinton, at its Tuesday night City Council meeting, is set to vote on a $2,000 contribution to the effort. Ennis and Morris hope that will allow them to expand the event next year and with more time to plan, they hope to have a bigger event.
Find the 'Clinton Festival of Trees' on Facebook for all the details of the Nov. 25 event on the square. The trees will be on display until Dec. 31.
