Poplar Bluff Museum holding the annual Christmas Tree Forest

Poplar Bluff High School art teachers Rebecca Shock (right) and Jeanne Stevenson begin decorating a tree for the annual Christmas Tree Forest to be held at the Poplar Bluff Museum. This year’s theme is Christmas Treats and the teachers are placing their students’ work on a tree at the museum. The open house will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Stevenson and Shock teach art to students in grades nine through 12.

DAR/Barbara Ann Horton

The Poplar Bluff Museum is holding the annual Christmas Tree Forest this year. Each year a theme is chosen and through school art classes, the students create the tree decorations relating to the theme. This year’s theme is Christmas Treats.

The museum will hold the Open House from 1-4 p.m. Sunday for students, family and the general public to view the trees and vote for their favorite tree.

Voting for the coveted People’s Choice Award will conclude at 3:45 p.m. and the winner will be announced at 4 p.m. Punch and cookies will be served. Refreshments are sponsored in memory of Eleanor Ray. The event is free of charge.

Prizes are awarded for Best Ornaments, Best Tree Topper, Best Under-The-Tree-Display and The People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award was created by Designing Armes Company.

The 2024 Christmas Tree Forest will feature 12 trees including:

• Westwood Baptist Academy, sponsored by Larry Hillis Dodge and led by Janice Gray;

• PB O’Neal Elementary, sponsored by Create Wellness Chiropractic and led by Kimberly Wynne;

• PB Oak Grove Elementary, sponsored by State Farm – Eddy Justice and led by Kimberly Wynne;

• PB Eugene Field Elementary, sponsored by Gilberto Dentistry and led by Tonya Miller;

• PB Lake Road Elementary, sponsored by Commerce Bank and led by Tonya Miller;

• PBHS, sponsored by PB Parks & Recreation and led by Jeanne Stevenson and Rebecca Shock;

• PB Kindergarten Center, sponsored by Thurman Landgrading and led by Rhonda Heaton;

• PB Mark Twain Alternative School – Elementary, sponsored by The Kirby Johnson Family and led by Darla Nunn;

• PB Mark Twain Alternative School – Secondary, sponsored by Pizza Inn and led by Darla Nunn; PB Junior High sponsored by 4N Motorsports and led by Amanda Ayers;

• Twin Rivers – Fisk Elementary, sponsored by the Clinton Salyer Family and led by Brianna Gourley; and

• Sacred Heart School, sponsored by Health Partners Management and led by Sister Nelly Rivera.

Refreshments are sponsored in memory of Eleanor Ray.

The Poplar Bluff Museum is located at 1010 N. Main St. in the Old Mark Twain School. It is a history museum for Poplar Bluff and Butler County featuring exhibits relating to sports, military, schools, conservation, first responders, scouts, postal history and other aspects of the community.

The museum will also be open every Sunday afternoon in December and Jan. 5 from 1-4 p.m. Admission is always free.

Kati Ray is a board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.