The 2008 Holiday Forest, "The True Spirit of Christmas," is open.

The event, sponsored by the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department, is located at the Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A. The forest will be open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Dec. 23.

Visitors are encouraged to meander through a forest of Christmas trees, each decorated in individual or group interpretations of the "True Spirit of Christmas."

Admission to the Holiday Forest is free, but donations of non-perishable foods for the Port Aransas Helping Hands Food Pantry will be collected .

Call Pam Greene at the parks and recreation department at 749- 4158 or pamg@cityofportaransas. org for more information.