“Silver Bells” has a new ring to it this year with the Poplar Bluff Museum’s 25th annual Christmas Tree Forest. 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 Carols.”
Prizes are awarded for Best Ornaments, Best Tree Topper, Best Under-The-Tree-Display and The People’s Choice Award.
The 2023 Christmas Tree Forest will feature nine trees including Poplar Bluff O’Neal Elementary sponsored by Create Wellness Chiropractic and led by Kimberly Wynne; Poplar Bluff Oak Grove Elementary sponsored by State Farm — Eddy Justice and led by Kimberly Wynne; Poplar Bluff Eugene Field Elementary sponsored by Gilberto & Hillis Dentistry and led by Tonya Miller; Poplar Bluff Lake Road Elementary sponsored by Commerce Bank and led by Tonya Miller; Poplar Bluff High School sponsored by 4N Motorsports and led by Jeanne Stevenson; Poplar Bluff Mark Twain Alternative School sponsored by Pizza Inn and led by Darla Nunn; Poplar Bluff Junior High sponsored by East Side Pharmacy and led by Amanda Ayers; Westwood Baptist Academy sponsored by Larry Hillis Dodge and led by Angela Morris; and Twin Rivers — Fisk Elementary sponsored by the Clinton Salyer Family and led by Rebecca Shock.
The museum will hold an 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. The event is free of charge.
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 from 1-4 p.m., including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Admission is always free.
Kati Ray is a Poplar Bluff Museum board member.