The Cheraw Arts Commission is presenting its first “Oh! Christmas Trees — Annual Festival of Trees & Lights” this year. The organization is seeking sponsors to decorate trees in downtown Cheraw during the holiday season. The trees will be on display from Dec. 3 through Jan. 1.

Sponsors include businesses, organizations, families, groups, and individuals. Sponsors can elect to decorate the trees themselves or sponsor a tree to be decorated by another group. Co-sponsoring a tree is an additional option. The cost of the trees is $40, which includes set-up and disposal. Each tree will feature signage with sponsor information.

Accompanying the “Festival of Trees” will be a “Tree Scavenger Hunt.” The sponsors will place special items on the trees, and Scavenger Hunt forms will be available at the participating sponsor locations. Completed forms can be redeemed for special prizes at the Cheraw Arts Commission office located at the Cheraw Community Center. The Commission will offer Adult/Child “Christmas Ornament” classes on Dec. 7, 9, and 10 at the Cheraw Recreation Department in conjunction with the tree festival. Contact the Cheraw Arts Commission at 537.8420, ext 12 or fax 843-537-8423 by Nov. 25 to sponsor a tree and for additional information about the ornament classes.

We are also asking residents of Cheraw to “Light Up Cheraw” during the holidays by using white lights for outdoor yard displays. Residents are encouraged to be creative and decorate their trees, bushes, and houses with white lights or simply turn on porch lights.

The Cheraw Arts Commission is supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Southern Arts Federation also supports the Cheraw Arts Commission, with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.