TIFTON — Santa Claus will have a few others to share the holiday attention this Christmas in Tifton. The Festival of Wreaths was expanded to include images of our friends and neighbors.

“We added dolls, teddy bears and swags to the Festival of Wreaths this year, along with lighted Christmas trees and wreaths,” said Lynn Lovett, who chairs the festival.

Some of the dolls are, “bearly celebrities” that feature the likeness of Tift County’s high- visibility citizens. Think of a teddy bear dressed in holiday clothing in the image of Regenia Wells of animal control, or, a Tift County Commission Chairman Grady Thompson teddy bear. The list goes on.

“We’re trying to have a creative environment for the spirit of the season including decorations and toys,” says Lovett.

The Festival of Wreaths started three years ago, and it still includes them, as well as lighted, 36-inch trees decorated for Christmas. This year, the festival expanded to include dolls, teddy bears and swags.

“We already have 60 entries, so far and we expect more,” Lovett said.

Businesses spend $100 to get a bear or wreath or Christmas tree or swag and decorate it. The creative holiday decorations then get judged and displayed for the community to buy.

“It’s a silent auction, and people can see the creations today through Nov. 21 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. They will be displayed during Hometown Holidays at the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage, with the remaining time at the Agrirama,” Lovett said.

Proceeds from the festival go to the Agrirama Foundation that supports the state’s agricultural museum. The money is needed as the Agrirama experienced a 31 percent state budget cut this year.