“Candy Land” refers to the board game many people played as children. But in Johnson City, Tenn., Candy Land Christmas signals a magical time when local businesses purchase and decorate Christmas trees for the delight of everyone who sees them.

The trees are available for local businesses and nonprofit organizations, as well as residents, to buy. When decorated, the trees are placed in King Commons and Founders Park, which are seasonally and appropriately called Cupcake Commons and Gumdrop Forest.

This year, decorating began on Nov. 21 and finished on Nov. 25. Then, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 25, the community gathered for a grand lighting ceremony and the magic bloomed for all to enjoy.

“We purchase the trees each year from a tree farm in Mountain City, Tenn. – which is 30-45 minutes away from downtown Johnson City,” said special events manager Lindsey Jones. “They deliver the trees the week prior to Thanksgiving each season. Due to the number of trees needed, we try to order them around June or July.”

Each tree is $200, although 30 were reserved for nonprofits at the lower cost of $150. They were sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The trees stay through Epiphany, encompassing all the holiday season. From the November start date until then, thousands of people – visitors and residents alike – walk through the display. No two trees look alike, as each is uniquely designed by different patrons, whether a group or a resident.

Visitors vote for their favorite tree, showing community support for its appeal and the patron’s creativity. The tree that wins grants the patron a free tree to decorate the following year.

As many cities had to do during the pandemic, Candy Land Christmas was a creative way to offer an event that could be done safely and appeal to as many people as possible.

“A Christmas Tree Celebration started in 2020 on a smaller scale, and it was organized by a local nonprofit that organizes the district’s annual Christmas Parade,” Jones said. “The idea was thought of between its board members and our previous public works director as a temporary event that would promote Christmas cheer without a large gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. That event consisted of 60 real Christmas trees placed in Founders Park, in downtown Johnson City.”

It took off from there.

“The first year of placing Christmas trees for display in downtown Johnson City was received so well, the thought of it not coming back just couldn’t happen. As the next holiday season rolled around, the nonprofit decided to go back to the traditional Christmas Parade rather than the tree display. But after many conversations at city hall, we decided to not only bring the Christmas tree display back but to more than double the size and brand it as an annual signature event that would spread throughout our downtown district.”

“In 2021, Candy Land Christmas featured 160 10- to 12-foot trees in Founders Park and King Commons,” she continued. “Both of these greenspaces were located in our walkable downtown district, connected by what we call ‘Candy Cane Lane.’”

Photos from previous years showcase the creativity shown by the community members who decorated them.

“One year, the Girl Scout Troop decorated their tree to look like a fire. They placed sticks underneath it, had orange lights, and placed artificial ‘flames’ at the top. Another year, Wise Property Solutions went all out with the Candy Land theme and hand-made nearly all their ornaments to mimic large candy pieces,” enthused Jones.

There isn’t a competition for someone to complete their tree first, “but we do have a deadline to decorate, which kicks off our event with a grand tree lighting ceremony and opens up voting for Best Tree,” she continued. “The Best Tree award is chosen by people’s choice voting, which is unlimited and online-only.

Last year, more than 40,000 votes were received.

“There are always many opinions on how to handle voting, and how to limit voting. But we personally love to see how much dedication voters have for their favorite trees!”

Businesses participate in Candy Land Christmas to be a part of the community, according to Jones. “Although there are many advertisement perks throughout the month. Candy Land Christmas has been recognized nationwide as one of the top 10 Christmas displays in America – which we saw drastically increase our foot traffic. Thousands of people visit each year and stop to see each tree and the businesses that decorate them. We also have developed an interactive map that will have each tree featured by the business that decorated it and a direct link to their website,” she explained.

In 2022, “smart poles” were added throughout both parks that broadcast Christmas music from about 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

“We also have carolers and school chorus groups participate as well. Downtown Johnson City is fortunate to have over 30 local food and beverage establishments, so we don’t have a need for mobile food vendors for this event.”

Since starting the event in 2020, Johnson City has seen several surrounding communities start similar tree displays in their district.

“We have loved being a vision and an example for other communities. The best piece of advice is to order your trees well in advance and to make sure you have the crew to securely and properly install them. Our public works department is all-hands-on-deck for several weeks to bring Candy Land Christmas to life. It takes a lot of detailed organization and city leaders who are willing to put in the time and effort. Those conversations are big ones, and they help make any event successful.”

Jones added a final thought for any city considering such a feature for their holidays.

“Candy Land Christmas is funded in many ways: by title sponsors and tree sponsors, as well as our public works department covering costs of infrastructure and labor. It might also be something a committee of volunteers could help to oversee and do a lot of the hands-on work to begin with.”

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