State park holiday event grows

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

The eighth annual Christmas in the Park at Atlanta State Park will be larger this year.
Atlanta State Park Office Manager Kayla Williams said there will be 61 campsites decorated for the two-night event being held Dec. 16-17 from dark until 9 p.m.
We have added a third loop this year to include more campsites,” Williams said. “In the past, we had only two loops.”
Campers are allowed to stay free if they agree to decorate their campsites. Williams said some of the returning campers have been a part of the event since it started.
The public is invited to drive around the park and then stop at the park headquarters where there is refreshments provided by local businesses. Williams encourages everyone to bring a camera as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus as well as the Grinch and Smoky the Bear will be available for pictures.
“It’s a free event,” Williams said. “It’s our way of saying thank you to everyone for visiting our park.”
Williams said the number of visitors has grown each year for the event with approximately 1,100 people turning out for last year’s Christmas in the Park.