Today, Thursday, Dec. 22, is the last opportunity to visit the Enchanted Holiday Forest at the Civic Center, 700 W. Ave. A.

The winter wonderland, featuring themed Christmas trees decorated by community members and organizations, is scheduled to end at 5 p.m.

The Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department hosts the holiday tradition and chose the theme, “___ was the year that ...” for this year’s forest. Participants were invited to pick a year and create decorations depicting that time.

Favorite trees, as voted on by children attending the Children’s Christmas Party on Dec. 13, are those put up by: The City of Port Aransas grounds crew with 35 votes, H.G. Olsen Elementary’s PTO with 26 votes and cub scouts with 16 votes.

Also on display as part of the Enchanted Holiday Forest is a patriotic Christmas tree honoring current and past U.S. soldiers. Stars, ribbons, photos and other memorabilia have been placed on the tree by family members and friends to remember and show support of their loved ones. As of Monday, Dec. 19, the tree displayed five yellow ribbons honoring those who are deployed, 11 blue stars for U.S. based troops, four gold stars for fallen soldiers, three silver stars recognizing wounded soldiers, 111 red stars for our veterans and 14 purple stars honoring those who have received honors.

Those who put up a tree in the forest will need to take their tree down on Tuesday, Dec. 27.