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GATESVILLE – Thanks to the staff at Merchants Millpond, Friends of the Millpond, and Gates County Community Events Group, 13 organizations or families will be providing drive-through holiday lights at Merchants Millpond State Park, starting at the visitor’s center and then proceeding down and around the picnic shelter.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations for the Friends of the Millpond are encouraged and will be collected at the entrance of the event. Any size donation will be appreciated.

“Holiday Lights at the Millpond” will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.

Participants include:

Lee Insurance

Farm Bureau Insurance

Cline Family

Studio 32

Gates County Chamber of Commerce

Girl Scout Troop 548 & Cub Scout Pack 155

Miller Farm

TS Cooper Elementary School

Central Middle School

Gates County High School

Beulah Baptist Church

Gatesville VFD Station #20

Gates County JROTC

Additionally, a Memorial Tree has been set up beside the picnic shelter. Community members may place an ornament on the tree in memory of their loved one(s) any day during regular park hours (8 am until 6 pm). The committee asks that ornaments be placed only during these hours and not during the Holiday Lights at the Millpond event to keep traffic moving smoothly.