Beautiful trees STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Visitors gaze at decorated Christmas trees at the annual Enchanted Holiday Forest at the Civic Center on Monday, Dec. 14. Various folks and organizations from around the community decorated the trees for the event, sponsored by the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. The annual Enchanted Holiday Forest is now open for viewing.

Each year the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department, the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce- Tourist Bureau and Port Aransas Boatmens Association transform the Port Aransas Civic Center into a holiday wonderland for the public to enjoy.

The theme this year is ‘Christmas, Island Style,’ and various organizations and individuals have decorated Christmas trees according to their interpretation of the theme.

The forest will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., today, Thursday, Dec. 17 and tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 18, and again Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 21 - 23. Decoration take-down is set for Monday, Dec. 28.

Donations of non-perishable food for the Helping Hands Food Pantry will be accepted at the forest as well.