There’s nothing quite like a real Fraser fir Christmas tree.

In recent years, the value and quality of locally produced food has re-inspired many Western North Carolina citizens to purchase locally grown food. After all, products produced in Western North Carolina offer high quality, the chance to meet the producer and the opportunity to support the local economy. Mountain-grown Christmas trees are no exception.

Fraser firs are native throughout the mountains of eastern United States and Canada and are widely produced in Western North Carolina.

In 2009, consumers in the U.S. purchased 28.2 million farm-grown Christmas trees, spending an average of $41 that went back into the local economy. The choose-and-cut segment of the Christmas tree industry in particular has grown dramatically in recent years.

With children in tow, parents enjoy the opportunity to visit a farm where they can search for that perfect tree while spending time creating new memories with their family. In doing so, individuals and family’s support local businesses. Christmas tree growers with choose-and-cut operations work hard but are devoted to provide a fun family experience for everyone to enjoy.  In 2009, the retail value of Christmas trees sold in the U.S. was $1.15 billion. That money is going to Christmas tree farmers instead of supporting an industry that brings you petroleum chemicals and plastic trees where it is estimated that more than 85 percent are imported from China.

Fraser fir trees are truly a green product. With more than 1,500 Christmas tree farms here in North Carolina, it is easy to find a farm or retail lot that is close by. Take time this holiday season to support a local farmer.

Haywood County

Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm

143 Boyd Farm Rd., Waynesville

www.boydmountainchristmastreefarm.com • 828.926.8888 or 828.506.3513

Continued Traditions Farm

1198 Old Clyde Rd., Clyde

www.continuedtraditions.com • 828.734.9111

Dutch Cove Christmas Tree Farm

280 Setzer Dr., Canton • 828.648.9133

Nesbitt Christmas Tree Farm

333 Sunset Ridge Rd., Clyde • 828.456.9914

Raulerson Christmas Tree Farm

28 Wady Branch Rd., Canton • 828.734.9534

Smoky Mountain Christmas Tree Farm

One mile up Hemphill Rd., Waynesville

Jackson County

James & Joe Ammons

2233 Wolf Mountain Rd., Tuckasegee

828.293.5953, 828.508.6681

Chuck Denkert

Cane Creek Rd. (look for sign D’s Trees, 1½ miles up on the right), Cullowhee

828.293.3308

Adrain Fowler

Breedlove Rd., Cashiers

828.399.0326, 828.342.0067

Ron Fowler

Breedlove Rd. (2nd farm on the left), Cashiers

828.743.1737, 828.508.8183

George Frady

Charlies Creek Rd. (go 8.2 miles on Hwy 281, then left on Charles Creek Rd (7.6 miles) Look for signs. Tuckaseegee

828.450.9351, 828.293.3449

Larry Moss

822 Norton Rd., Cashiers

828.226.2397, 828.743.2215, 828.226.2340

Tom Sawyer

240 Chimney Pond Road, Glenville

800.662.7008, 828.743.5456

John & Joni Wavra

971 Lloyd Hooper Rd., Cullowhee

828.743.3899

Paul White

180 Cold Water Creek Lane, Cullowhee

828.293.0258

Swain County

Roy Burnette

Brush Creek Rd., Bryson City

828.488.4196 (ask for Arnold)

Ted Craig

160 Fraser Fir Dr., Bryson City

828.488.3954, 828.736.4356

Macon County

J & J Tree Farm  

28 Guffie Rd., Franklin • 828.524.3464

Peak Experience Christmas Trees

2820 Dillard Rd., Highlands

828.526.0229, 828.526.5405.

Every year for more than a quarter century, the village of Dillsboro transforms itself into a quintessential Christmas scene, warm with the glow of luminaries and white lights.

This year, the festival, is slated for Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12.

The four-night Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminaries begins each evening at dusk, when merchant “elves” illuminate the streets with 2,500 shining luminaries and delicate, white lights adorning centuries-old buildings.

Carolers and musicians fill the air with lively, Christmas tunes and shopkeepers stay open late, treating revelers to hot cider, cocoa and home-baked goods.

In years past, barbershop quartets, and youngsters decked out in Madrigal costumes, have wandered about town, singing traditional songs.

“If you’re having trouble getting into the holiday spirit, this festival will do wonders,” said Julie Spiro of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. “We’re often told that visiting the luminaries festival is like stepping into a Christmas painting.”

“Dillsboro is a wonderful town for strolling, shopping and dining, especially during the holidays. With dozens of unique shops and craft studios, we offer something for everyone. Our warm-hearted shopkeepers are ready to welcome visitors, and our traditional luminary festival is a delightful return to Christmases past that will fill you with holiday cheer,” says Dawn Hummel, vice president of the merchants association.

Susan Leveille, owner of the Oaks Gallery in Dillsboro, says the festival was a little different 26 years ago when a handful of merchants initiated what would become an annual tradition.

There were no electric white lights then, just the flicker of luminaries “lighting the way for the Christ child,” Leveille said.

“People were asked to turn their headlights off and leave just parking lights on,” said Leveille. “It was just beautiful.”

One of the merchants suggested starting the festival in Dillsboro to express gratitude to the community and celebrate the holiday with neighbors and friends.

Leveille has created her own tradition of welcoming visitors to her gallery with some of her favorite Christmas smells, including fresh greenery and hot apple cider.

Janet Chinners, co-chair of the luminaries festival committee and owner of Country Traditions, said she has been preparing for this year’s festival for a month now.

The committee has ordered thousands of special candles that burn for at least four hours each.

Chinners said more than a thousand people show up every year to take a step back in time with the Dillsboro festival.

Dawn Hummel, vice president of Dillsboro’s Merchant’s Association, said other towns in Western North Carolina may have started similar traditions of their own, but Dillsboro’s festival is “extra special.”

“It’s magical, it’s traditional, it’s just what I envision Christmas should be,” said Hummel.

For more information about the 2009 Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries Festival contact David Gates 828.586.3891 or Janet Chinners 828.586.1600. Visit the town Web site at www.visitdillsboro.org.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Working her way past the miniature Christmas village homes and a star topped tree, Vickie Horne stood fingering ornaments on the wall of Nancy Tut’s Christmas Shop in Dillsboro with an index card full of names in her hand.