Christmas Traditions in Shelbyville

Artists are busy painting chairs for the Antiques, Art, and Collectibles Mall’s display at the Festival of Trees in Shelbyville, Tenn. The 21st year of this event will be Nov. 22 through Dec. 22. The mall’s entry is titled “A Partridge in a Chair Tree”. Thirty decorated trees will be on view at the Fly Arts Center. Another chance to see the trees will be during Dinner Theater the first two weekends in December. The Fly Community Theater will present “Don’t Dress for Dinner” with reserve seats available by phoning 931-684-8359.

Several years ago one of the mall dealers, an art teacher, always interested in encouraging creativity, decided to encourage other dealers to join her in designing tablescapes. Talented dealers in the antique mall began designing tablescapes for their favorite holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas and a tradition was born! Now the Holiday Tablescape Exhibition and Competition is an annual event. Visitors may vote for their favorite tablescape to be entered into one of several drawings for $25 gift certificates and dealers will be awarded gift certificates for their winning tablescapes.

Another favorite tradition will be the Holiday Open House the second weekend in November. The mall will be joined by other merchants around the Shelbyville Historic Square-Shopping District to host holiday sales, drawings, and lots of goodies to eat. Come catch the holiday spirit and take home holiday decorating ideas and gifts for everyone on your list.