Classic Center Christmas to Benefit Extra Special People

By Angie Estes

Celebrate the holiday season this year at The Classic Center in downtown Athens Dec. 14-22.

Christmas at The Classic Center will be a fun filled wonderland featuring ice skating, a Festival of Trees, pictures with Santa, a Santa’s workshop full of crafts for kids and lots more! Tickets are on sale now.

The nine day festival will benefit Extra Special People, a nonprofit in Watkinsville, Ga., that strives to enhance the lives of young people with developmental disabilities in nine Northeast Georgia counties.

Come out and skate on The Classic Center’s new holiday indoor ice rink – the only one of its kind in Athens. Tickets for skating are $10 each, and include skate rentals. Tickets can be purchased each day of the event inside the Grand Hall.

General admission to Christmas at The Classic Center is $3 per person, or $6 per person for multi-day admission. This admission charge includes entry to the following activities:

 ·         View 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the Festival of Trees, presented by Zaxby’s.

·         Santa will be taking a break from his busy schedule to visit The Classic Center! Come visit him and tell him what you would like for Christmas any day of the event. Photos will be available for purchase.

·         Santa’s Workshop will be full of crafts for kids and lots more! Come decorate cookies and create holiday crafts such as ornaments and cards, as well as a special toy sponsored by Home Depot.

·         Local bakeries and restaurants will be displaying their professional gingerbread house creations. Come out to vote on your favorite!

·         Children can hop aboard our holiday train and enjoy a ride around our Grand Hall. There will also be a bouncy house for kids and performances by local choral groups.

On Friday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m., there will be an opening reception for the Festival of Trees during which guests can bid on the 50 trees in the silent auction. Guests will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres, dessert and drinks. Tickets for the opening reception are $20 per person.

Families can also enjoy a special breakfast with Santa and other holiday characters on Saturday, Dec. 14 or Saturday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. Tickets to Breakfast with Santa are $20 per person, and include access to the full festival and ice skating.

For tickets and more information, visit ClassicCenterChristmas.com or call our box office at 706-357-4444.