For 100 years, there’s been an organization working in Henderson with a laser-sharp focus on community beautification in both public spaces and private gardens.
This organization, the Garden Club of Henderson, has pursued community aesthetics in many different ways over the decades, including summer garden tours and homeowner recognition programs, plant sales and exchanges and educational programs.
A few years ago, the club commissioned and raised the funding for a frog sculpture in the playground area outside the children’s department of Henderson County Public Library.
And as a recent ongoing community project, the organization has “adopted” the 50 corner flowerpots in downtown Henderson during the summer season, coordinating with the hanging baskets that were added by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and its partners, adding some color and pizzazz to the downtown streetscape.
In the holiday season, those same flowerpots receive a makeover with fresh greenery, sparkles, baubles and bows to add a bit of festivity to the streetscape.
And this year, for the second time, the Garden Club is bringing back a holiday event that will help make all these beautification projects possible, not to mention will shine a light on the Hallmark-esque quality of downtown Henderson during Christmas.
This year the Garden’s Club Candlelight Christmas Tour will move to the South Main Street historic district and will feature nine stops.
It is set is for Friday, Dec. 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees will stroll the Main, Powell and Water Street neighborhoods with battery-powered Christmas candles as their admission ticket. Attendees are encouraged to also bring a flashlight to supplement their candlelight.
The candle “tickets” will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1, at the Henderson Tourist Commission office, 101 N. Water St., and will also be available that evening at the annual Art Hop set for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25, cash or check.
Out of respect for the homeowners who are graciously opening their homes for the tour, the number of tickets will be limited, according to project organizer Marcia Baker.
She said the candlelight tour sold out quickly last year, and it was surprisingly well-attended by our neighbors across the river, some of whom have already inquired about this year’s event.
Candlelight Christmas Tour stops are:
- 123 S. Main St., Glen and Judy Stone
- 139 S. Main St., Randy and Melissa Mattingly
- 220 S. Main St., Mark and Cindy Weaver
- 304 S. Main St., Joey and Amy Jameson
- 306 S. Main St., Kennie and Angela Comer
- 334 S. Main St., Greg and Melissa Pritchett
- 114 Powell St., Stefan and Chelsea Swecker
- 201 S. Water St., Jim Marshall and Kathy Hawkins
- 101 N. Water St., Gallery 101, Henderson Tourist Commission office and The Depot Gift Shop.
Baker said live music will be provided by carolers throughout the tour route, and plans are being made for a short holiday concert by Henderson County High School vocalists on the steps of the Henderson County Public Library.
Refreshments will be served at Gallery 101 where there will also be a Holiday Marketplace set up featuring 10 vendors offering artwork, baskets, wooden charcuterie boards, essential oils, totes and much more. Those who visit the Holiday Marketplace will be eligible for a gift drawing.
Baker also said it is yet to be determined whether horse-drawn carriage rides will be available again this year; a decision will be made closer to the event.
Last year to add to the festivities and fundraising power of the event, the Garden Club sold a set of Christmas notecards with artwork of a corner flowerpot decked out for Christmas titled “Timeless Traditions” by local artist Iris Gentry. This year that same design has been transformed into a limited edition Christmas ornament honoring the Garden Club’s centennial anniversary. It will be for sale at The Depot gift shop for $15 starting Nov. 1.
Even if your home is not featured on the Candlelight Christmas Tour, the Garden Club is inviting all homeowners in the Main Street corridor to “light the way” by displaying window candles or decorating with Christmas lights that can be illuminated on the evening of the home tour.
“We want to light the way to our downtown,” Baker said, noting that many residences on the street on either side of downtown already are doing just that. The Garden Club is looking to build on that.
“We look at Main Street as a destination for those who love to take an after-dark drive (or walk) to enjoy Christmas lights,” she added.
