By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer 

CALERA – This holiday season, Calera Main Street will host two winter events, the Calera Festival of Trees and the Calera Winter Wonderland Pageant on Saturday, Nov. 23.

According to Calera Main Street Director Jackie Batson, the Calera Festival of Trees is a new tradition that will fill the Calera Courtyard with a stunning display of live Christmas trees, decorated by local businesses, organizations and community members.

“Join us in Downtown Calera as we celebrate the joy and beauty of the holiday season with the Calera Festival of Trees,” Batson said. “Whether you’re decorating a tree or simply enjoying the sights, this event will bring the community together in a shared experience of holiday cheer.”

Participants that registered will be able to select a live Christmas tree during an afternoon that will kick off the official tree decorating period. All trees must be completely decorated by noon on Saturday, Nov. 23 and will remain on display until Thursday, Jan. 2.

The official tree lighting ceremony will occur on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Calera Courtyard. At the ceremony, all of the trees in the competition will be lit, as well as the city’s Grand Christmas Trees.

As the community wanders through the illuminated wonderland, judges will evaluate the participating trees for awards in three categories: Most Elegant, The Grizwald and Best Business Representation.

In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, that Saturday will also feature the 2024 Calera Winter Wonderland Pageant. Held at the Collectivus Church event center, children in multiple age groups will compete for the prize package valued at $2,000.

The pageant will be divided into three sections for the three age divisions. The first group, featuring newborns to three-year-olds, will begin at 8:45 a.m. Children aged four through seven will compete at 11 a.m. The oldest division, featuring children aged eight to 18, will occur at 2:15 p.m.

In each age group, there will be a winner for Most Photogenic, Most Beautiful, Best Fashion, Prettiest Hair and Best Smile. In addition, each of the three divisions will have an overall winner and a people’s choice award.

The winners of the Winter Wonderland Pageant will also be in attendance at the tree lighting ceremony later that evening.

Those interested in more information about either the Calera Festival of Trees or the Winter Wonderland Pageant can visit eventeny.com/company/caleramainstreet/.