Christmas in July
MARIETTA, Ga.- The Marietta Square was packed with families attending the Christmas in July event. The event was July 13, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free for all to attend. The square was filled with tents, plastic lawn flamingos, and many costumed characters walking around to take photos with various people attending. Christmas in July is a companion event to the Square’s December event, Winter Wonderland, and is in celebration of a major donation to the Center for Family Planning Resources. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- The first thing attendees saw when walking across the train tracks were the many tents covering the many artists featuring their artwork for sale. The Marietta square has many artist’s markets like this one throughout the year for local artists to sell their work, but these artists also have the privilege to paint the wooden reindeer cutouts that will be used during the December Winter Wonderland event. The artists were selling paintings, jewelry, handmade clothing, pottery, and various other handmade goods. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- One artist selling her work was Rhonda Coleman. She said this was her first year selling her artwork at this event and she hopes to come back again next year. “My focus is dogs, I do dog paintings and then I sell the originals,” Coleman said. “But, not everyone has a place for that or the money to buy that, so I turn them into magnets, ornaments, plates, and cards.” For people who like buying Christmas gifts very far in advance, the Artists’ Market is the perfect place to look. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- The other end of the Square had just as many tents as the Artist’s Market, but these tents were for the Farmer’s Market. The Farmer’s Market is every Saturday in the Square for locals to sell their homegrown produce. Vendors were selling various fresh vegetables and fruits, and homemade goods, such as preserves and baked goods. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- The first thing attendees saw when entering the main part of the Square, was a group of students singing Christmas music. They were all dressed in Christmas colors and reindeer antler headbands. They switched between music they sang and had accompanied by a recorded background, and live music performed with voice and ukulele. Classic Christmas songs such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, and many others were performed by these talented kids. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- The main part of the event was taking photos with a tropically dressed Santa Claus. Families were lined up down a large stretch of sidewalk waiting to take a picture with the off-season Santa. Hadley’s Photography gave photos of families with Santa in exchange for a toy or cash donation for Cobb Christmas. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- People were able to take photos with more than just Santa Claus at the Square. Various other mascots and characters were walking around amid the crowds. Some of the characters included the Chick-fil-A Cow, the Zaxby’s Chicken, and the Grinch. Families were especially eager to take photos with the tropical Grinch while they waited in line to reach Santa Claus. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- The purpose of the Christmas in July event was to give a major donation to the Center for Family Resources. The CFR helps to provide financial support, housing, and education to families in need. They had a booth set up in line while people waited to take photos with Santa for people to get more information on their cause and what the money donated would help them do. The donation was presented to the CFR by Santa Claus himself during the event. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- Various other independent musicians were also playing music around the square. Some played original songs and others performed covers of popular music. The musicians had their cases open to accept money from passers-by while they performed. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
MARIETTA, Ga.- The final feature of the Christmas festival, was a carriage ride around the Square. Rides lasted around ten minutes and cost $5 per person. Families enjoyed a scenic view of the Marietta Square while being pulled in a real horse drawn carriage. Rides were first come first serve, so families tended to wait by the sign for the horse carriage to come back to ensure having a spot on the carriage next. (Photo by Cat Blanchard)
