LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — For 53 years, the Allen County Museum has helped bring a little magic to the holiday season through its annual Christmas Tree Festival. On Monday, local organizations and businesses began setting up their decorated trees for what will be the largest festival yet.
This year’s event will feature around 150 trees placed throughout the museum, along with activities for all ages. Visitors can browse the Holiday Boutique, watch wood-carving and rug-hooking demonstrations, and visit the popular Evergreen the Talking Tree. The long-running festival has become a beloved tradition for families and a major event for the museum.
“It's such a special place to be a part of the community in that kind of a way to kick off the year and just to welcome people in and be where they take their Christmas pictures, or maybe where their kid first takes a picture with Santa and all of that kind of stuff, and just be a part of that story too. We typically get in about a third of our whole visitation during this time so really exciting and a great moment for the museum to be like we're here, come, come see us all times a year,” says Hannah Bergstedt, Public Engagement & Learning Coordinator, Allen Co. Museum.
53rd Annual Christmas Tree Festival at the Allen County Museum
Dates and Hours
- Wed., Dec. 3: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thurs., Dec. 4: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Fri., Dec. 5: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Sat., Dec. 6: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sun., Dec. 7: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Activities
Upper Level
- Gifts from the Earth (Friday–Sunday)
- Children’s Art Exhibit (Lima Elementary Schools)
- Bakery and Confectionery (Friday–Sunday)
- Restrooms
- Information Desk
- Decorated Trees and Displays
- Fingerprint Ornaments (Friday–Sunday)
- Holiday Boutique
- Wood-Carving Demonstrations (Friday–Sunday)
- Rug-Hooking Demonstrations (Friday–Sunday)
- Wreath photographs or photo with Santa (Changing Gallery, Friday–Sunday)
Lower Level
- Decorated Trees and Displays
- Evergreen the Talking Tree
- Little Children’s Shoppe (Friday–Sunday)
- Polar Express Reading (near the Shay, Friday–Sunday)
Outdoor Activities
MacDonell House
Volunteers will present a Victorian Christmas throughout the historic home, featuring decorated trees, seasonal music and traditional décor. Admission is free during the festival; donations are welcome.
Log House
Guests can watch hearthside cooking demonstrations by docent Mark Mohr and reenactors, along with DAR and SAR volunteers.
