Ray told Bedford County Bicentennial Organizing Committee this morning that he wants a tall tree for the courthouse lawn, preferably one that can be planted and left there permanenty, for the planned Dec. 1 tree-lighting ceremony. Ray can only find normal home-sized trees locally and is now trying to find out whether a tree is available in McMinnville, widely known as a home to nurseries.

The Bicentennial Committee is working with a business to have lights donated for the tree.

The tree-lighting ceremony will cap off "Celebration of Christmas Past," an Dec. 1 festival of holiday activities on the square being planned by the Bicentennial committee. Some of the activities are still being finalized, but organizers hope for merchant open houses, caroling, chili, home tours, hot chocolate, a holiday movie matinee, and performances by at least one of the local high school bands, with the ideal being all three. The Fly Arts Center, just off the square, will also have its Festival of Trees open for business.

Merchants from the square were invited to attend this morning's Bicentennial meeting. Merchants and preservationists have recently formed a Main Street group to promote shopping and activities in the traditional downtown area.

Two days later, Dec. 3, is the actual date of the county's 200th birthday, and the Bicentennial closing celebration will take place that evening in Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds. This will include food, door prizes, a brief program and the serving of an official county birthday cake.

Meanwhile, sales continue for official Bicentennial memorabilia, including T-shirts, coins, medallions, key chains and the official Bicentennial history book written by Tim and Helen Marsh with Garland King.

That official history book, which has already been published, is a separate project from the Times-Gazette's pictorial history, which will be released next month.

Bicentennial items can be obtained from a number of area merchants and Bicentennial committee members and from the county mayor's office in the courthouse.

Dixie Parker chairs the Bicentennial Organizing Committee, with Dawn Holley and Johnny Reed as co-chairs of the activities subcommittee.