The city of West Point is holding its first winter carnival on Nov. 17 and wants to light up the town – or at least the train depot parking lot – with Christmas trees.

Church groups, civic organizations, bands, schools, individuals and families are asked to sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree in the days prior to the festival.

“Help us light up West Point,” said Council member Judy Wilkinson, an organizer of the event.

“As a new holiday tradition, the city of West Point will host the Festival of Trees in the West Point Depot parking lot. Businesses, organizations, and individuals are asked to sponsor and decorate a tree to advertise your business, team building, honor or memorialize a loved one, or show school spirit. Ribbons will be awarded, and you will have bragging rights for the entire year, plus the citizens of the Greater Valley Area will get to enjoy the trees from Thanksgiving until after the New Year.”

Wilkinson said there’s been such a good response to the trees that the deadline for sponsorship has been extended to Nov. 9. Sponsorship costs $50 and the trees are 7 1/2 feet tall. Trees are to be decorated with white lights and decorations that are appropriate to all ages.

Decorating begins Nov. 10 and ends Nov. 15 with judging on Nov. 16.

The winter carnival is Nov. 17 at the depot.

• Information on the trees may be found at the West Point Happenings page on Facebook or by contacting Cheryl Magby at cmagby@cityofwestpointga.com or at 706-643-8484.