Marcy Fort said she wanted to capture the magic of Christmas in the wreath she decorated for the town of Springfield.

"I just want to kind of bring back memories of when you were young, and your Christmases when you were little and excited and couldn't wait and couldn't sleep," Fort said.

"There's no magic now. Everything's so commercialized. I just remember when I was a kid, it was so magical."

The spirit of the season is alive at the eighth annual Mayors' Festival of Wreaths. The wreaths are on display through Nov. 20 at First Citizens' Columbia Road branch in Orangeburg and Nov. 23-Dec. 7 at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center.

Not only can individuals enjoy the creativity that abounds in municipalities across the county -- they can also place bids on the wreaths.

"This is so unique because the wreaths are so different. They are all of such a high quality, and each is so individualized," said Beth Thomas, OCFAC executive director. "I am so impressed with what these towns have done."

Bids for the wreaths, which have been decorated by florists, civic-minded individuals, garden clubs and town employees, will be accepted through 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. All bidding will take place at the arts center.

The auction supports classes for children and adults, summer programs, performances and exhibits at the center. Arts center funds also make their way into the community through subgrants, which are awarded quarterly to groups or individuals for artistic endeavors.

"It's keeping the doors open, just to keep the arts center going," Thomas said. "We are truly very dependent on contributions."

Fort, who decorates wreaths as a hobby, said the decor for the Springfield wreath centers around snowmen wearing fuzzy hats. Neon colors like hot pink and bright green dominate.

"There are some ornaments on there that are just the head of the snowmen, and each one is different," Fort said. "I just fell in love with those ornaments when I saw them. ... It was just kind of whimsical, playful."

Thomas said the entries get better each year.

"We've had a lot of the same people doing the wreaths year after year, and they come up with a different theme each year. We've had a lot of new people decorating wreaths, and that's just wonderful," she said. "They all seem to have enjoyed doing it, they're happy to continue doing it ... and they are so complimentary of all the other wreaths. You see community spirit. Everyone wants everybody to do well. It's really a very, very nice event."

Thomas said the Mayors' Festival of Wreaths came about because the OCFAC board saw a need to reach out to the outlying communities.

"We've got a whole county and so many people think the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center is just for Orangeburg," she recalled one board member saying.

"This is some way to bring in the towns and let everyone in the county see something representative of each town," she said. "There are 17 municipalities in the county, and at one time or another, everyone has participated.

"They're all benefitting us, because the money raised goes to the arts center, but then we feel as though we are shining a light on every town. There's a lot of creativity in every corner of the county."

This is the first year the wreaths have been displayed somewhere other than the Fine Arts Center. Trees were not decorated this year to accommodate the temporary display at First Citizens.

"If more people see them, then it's worth it," Thomas said. "It's exposure for the towns and the artists that did the wreaths."

The variety is always a treat to see, she said.

"They have all been given thought," Thomas said. "Some of the towns will do a wreath that really represents a town. Others will do just a general holiday wreath. Some of them are not just a Christmas wreath -- they can be used year-round."

Thomas said the wreaths have an array of colors and themes -- from sports-oriented to formal to homey to just plain fun.

"The quality and workmanship and effort is really overwhelming," she said. "Every one that comes in, I'm absolutely sincere when I say, 'That is wonderful.'

"They are doing this and they are giving it to us, and I just think that is wonderful."

Gladys Arends said she knew what she was going to do with Cordova's wreath when some ornaments caught her eye in North Carolina.

"They looked like Hershey's candy kisses to me," she said. "It just occurred to me -- a sweet candy Christmas. It's just a sweet time of year to me. Family and friends are home, we celebrate the birth of our Savior -- it's just a sweet time of year."

Arends said she usually does a kid-friendly theme for the town's submission.

"I usually do something a little funky and kind of off-the-wall, but this just kind of struck me this year," she said, adding that it's hard coming up with a new theme each year.

"Candy is just such a great joy. Christmas is just so joyous, it's just such a great time. And that is what I hope they see, Christmas is just so joyous -- a sweet candy Christmas."

For Elloree, Jean Fogle said the Evergreen Garden Club chose to go with a wreath that could be used not only at Christmastime, but throughout winter and on other holidays.

She said the effect the club was going for was snow and ice. The greenery is accented with crystal ornaments and adorned with a red ribbon.

Fogle said the club hopes to evoke thoughts of the holidays with its wreath.

"Not especially Christmas, but it can be used also for Valentine's," she said. "Just a holiday season."

Orangeburg's wreath features every ornament issued thus far by the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association.

"We called it 'An Orangeburg Christmas,'" said Lynn Brock of Dogwood Garden Club, which decorated the wreath. "DORA helped us out with the ornaments, since the money would go back into the Fine Arts Center. We have a nice bow, and we have some berries and pine cones, but it's mainly the ornaments. And it's a lighted wreath.

"Ours is very simple, and we just thought the ornaments would do the talking for us ... just to represent our city."

Thomas said people will be very impressed with what the towns have contributed to the festival.

"And the wreaths can be purchased for just a donation to the arts center," she said. "If you don't need a wreath ... they make exquisite gifts for people.

"People should come and see them to see what exists throughout the county, the originality and creativity throughout the county, and the generosity of the people of these towns who will give up their time and effort for this worthy cause."

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

Mayors' Festival of Wreaths

Participating in the eighth annual Mayors' Festival of Wreaths are:

Town of Bowman

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Holt and Mayor-elect Marion Glenn, decorated by Shanteka Glover

"A large glistening silver and blue wreath that shimmers -- beautiful," said Beth Thomas, executive director of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center.

Town of Cope

Mayor Janet Joye, decorated by Garden Gate Florist

"Very representative of a rural South Carolina community -- features a deer, tractor, cotton, peanuts and soybeans! Exceptional and unique."

Town of Cordova

Mayor James V. Martin, decorated by Gladys Arends

"Features large silver and gold ornaments, some resembling candy kisses! Gorgeous and elegant."

Town of Elloree

Mayor Van Stickles, decorated by Evergreen Garden Club

"Crystal ornaments with red ribbons -- glistening, beautiful."

Town of Eutawville

Mayor Robert E. Collins and Mayor-elect Jean Akers, decorated by Holly Hill Florist & Gift Shop

"Fisherman's delight! Bright colors with fishing bobbers/sinkers and a fish about to jump out of the water."

Town of Holly Hill

Mayor James S. Jeffers Sr. and Mayor-elect William Johnson, decorated by Ruth Summerson of Ruth's House

"Holly berries, grapevine, lotus pods, pine cones and feathers -- like a walk in the woods!"

Town of Livingston

Mayor Bobby Gordon, decorated by Amy Addison

"Wonderful green wreath decorated with a gold open-weave ribbon and all ornaments red and sparkly -- pears and leaves. Yet another incredible wreath!"

Town of Neeses

Mayor Joseph M. Corbett, decorated by Sonja Gleaton

"Burgundy apples, pomegranates and pine cones on green wreath with glittery gold balls. Very sweet and comfy-by-the-fireside appeal."

Town of North

Mayor W. Earl Jeffcoat, decorated by Katie Redmond of Touch of Class

"Santa, candy canes, gold leaves, magnolia blossoms and holly berries -- very bright and happy!"

City of Orangeburg

Mayor Paul A. Miller, decorated by Dogwood Garden Club

"Wreath features all of the Orangeburg Christmas ornaments with a large burgundy/green bow. Beautiful and nostalgic."

Town of Santee

Mayor Silas Seabrooks Jr., decorated by Linda Shipley and Rebecca Wright

"Wonderfully Santee, complete with golf balls and tees, a golf banner, and red and green ribbon. Festive and happy."

Town of Springfield

Mayor Marilyn McCormick, decorated by Marcy Fort

"A fun wreath featuring happy snowmen faces with fluffy pink and green hair! Lots of pinks and greens in the ornaments. Delightful and whimsical."

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