The Hardin Center is excited to begin celebrating the holiday season with the opening of “Let it Snow” and “Festival of Trees XXVIII” on Saturday, November 10.

This is the Hardin Center’s seventh year to host Let it Snow. The highlight of the children’s exhibit is an area filled with a material that resembles and feels like real snow. The snow is made of a non-toxic polymer material that feels cool to the touch but won’t get visitors wet. Children can play in the snow, slide down a snow slide, and slide around in their socks on an ice rink. The snow slide is made from a slick material that competition skiers use during the offseason and the ice rink is a polished plastic surface that hockey players use for practice. This year also features a large new bounce castle. Let it Snow is sponsored by Exchange Bank.

Festival of Trees has been a holiday favorite at the Hardin Center for 28 years. The exhibit includes 32 Christmas Trees that are decorated by local schools and non-profits using handmade ornaments. This year’s theme is “First Ladies” and each tree highlights a different First Lady of the United States. Festival of Trees is sponsored by Rainbow Food Mart, Oxford Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Chicken Salad Chick.

Imagination Place is celebrating the opening of Let it Snow and Festival of Trees XXVI with a big celebration on Tuesday, November 13 from 3 pm to 5 pm. The excitement includes refreshments, ongoing guided tours of the decorated Christmas trees, choral performances, and crafts. All of the activities are FREE with regular admission and FREE for Hardin Center members.

Regular all-day admission for Let it Snow and Festival of Trees is $8 per person and includes Imagination Place Children’s Museum. Admission is free for Hardin Center members and for children under 24 months. Let it Snow ends January 31, 2019 and Festival of Trees ends December 31, 2018.  Both exhibits are open 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 1 pm – 5 pm on Sunday. The Hardin Center will be open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Field trip reservations are still available for schools and groups. For more information call (256) 543-2787 or visit www.culturalarts.org.