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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Christmas trees purchased by non-profit organizations were on display at the Fellows Riverside Garden's annual tree walk.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Community members walked through Fellows Riverside Garden to see the trees decorated by local organizations throughout the month of December.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Non-profit organizations decorated trees at Fellows Riverside Garden throughout the month of December for community members to walk through and look at.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .To celebrate the Fellows Riverside Garden's 60th anniversary, the park created a memory wall of photos submitted by the community of the park throughout the years.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Children played at the Fellows Riverside Garden's library during the park's annual Winter Celebration throughout the month of December.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Some trees were decorated to fit the Frozen in Time theme during the Fellows Riverside Gardens' annual tree walk on display to the public throughout the month of December.
By JESSICA HARKER
The Mill Creek MetroParks are celebrating Fellow Riverside Garden’s 60th anniversary during their annual Winter Celebration.
This year’s celebration has a “Frozen in Time” theme to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the facility.
Jaime Yohman, the park’s Community Engagement Director, said that annually non-profit organizations purchase 60 trees spread throughout the facility to decorate during the event.
“It’s a community event, and we have a large response from the community throughout the month of December,” Yohman said.
Along with the annual tree walk to celebrate the anniversary, the committee created a memory wall.
“We reached out to the community and asked for any pictures of the gardens throughout the years,” said Sharmon Lesnak, the head volunteer for the event. Lesnak, along with Pam Nock and Debbie Walker, organized the event and coordinated the volunteers.
“We really want to thank the volunteers. They’re great and this would not be possible without them,” Lesnak said.
The planning for the event begins in early June when the committee starts organizing work shop days. During the workshops, Lesnak said they hand-make ornaments to use during the month of December to decorate the gardens. This year, Lesnak and other committee members used plastic bottles and permanent markers to hand make ornaments for the event. All supplies were donated by community members and created by volunteers.
“It’s a huge undertaking every year,” Yohman said. “But Sharmon is very creative and we always have a beautiful turn out.”
The event will also feature characters from Disney’s “Frozen” to fit the theme.
Sister’s Anna and Elsa will make an appearance on Saturdays during December for children and their families to enjoy.
“It’s really a big community event,” Lesnak said. “We always try to have something for the kids to enjoy.”
Along with the tree walk and the visits from Disney characters, the event will feature a number of musicians to entertain community members. The community is also invited to bring a donation of non perishable food that the park will give to the Second Harvest food bank at the end of the event. Kravitz Deli will also offer food specials throughout December at their Garden Cafe.
“Community members can come in, see the lights and have a nice meal at the cafe,” Yohman said. “It’s really a great event everyone seems to have fun.”
Frozen in Time will run through Dec. 30 at Fellows Riverside Garden, with the garden staying open till 7 p.m. on Saturdays to accommodate guests.
“We really owe so much of this to the lovely volunteers,” Lesnak said. “Without them none of this would be possible.”