5th Annual Holiday Tinsel Trail (December 2, 2025)
Event Overview
United Action for the Advancement of Humanity decorated a Christmas tree as part of College Park’s 31st Annual Light The City Up celebration, competing alongside local businesses, city departments, and community organizations.
Event Details
- Date: December 2, 2025 (Light Up the City: 6:00-8:00 PM)
- Location: College Park Tinsel Trail route
- Event: 5th Annual Holiday Tinsel Trail / 31st Annual Light The City Up
- UAFAH Activity: Christmas tree decoration
- Competing Organizations: 19 other participants including College Park Police, Fire Department, Historical Society, local businesses
What Happened
College Park’s Holiday Tinsel Trail features decorated Christmas trees displayed throughout the city, each sponsored by a local business, organization, or city department. UAFAH was assigned tree #20 and transformed it into a display representing the Model City Initiative’s vision for unity and the Beloved Community.
Trees were delivered on November 24, and participants had until December 2 to complete their decorations for the Light Up the City celebration that evening. UAFAH volunteers worked to create a tree that stood out while embodying the organization’s mission and values.
Setup Requirements
- LED lights only (safety requirement)
- Outdoor extension cord (weatherproof)
- Outdoor-rated decorations (wind and rain resistant)
- Secure fastening (zip-ties, pipe cleaners, string)
- Grass protection if spray painting
- Step ladder (trees approximately 6 feet tall)
The Competition
UAFAH’s tree stood among decorations from:
- City departments (Police, Fire, Buildings & Grounds)
- Local businesses (Mina’s Fashion Wigs, Joe McKnight State Farm, College Park Shoe Store)
- Community organizations (Keep College Park Beautiful, First United Methodist Church, Historical Society, Ignite Resource Center)
- Local food establishments (The Real Milk & Honey, Suga Urban Farm, Food In The City)
Significance
This participation accomplished multiple objectives:
- Brand Growth: Continued building UAFAH’s presence in College Park
- Community Integration: Positioned UAFAH alongside established institutions
- Visibility: Tree displayed throughout holiday season
- Collaboration: Demonstrated UAFAH’s willingness to participate in community traditions
- Accessibility: Made UAFAH’s mission visible to families celebrating the holidays
Impact
- Increased UAFAH brand recognition during high-traffic holiday season
- Demonstrated organizational capacity for creative community engagement
- Built relationships with other participating organizations
- Created visual representation of Model City Initiative values accessible to all ages
- Contributed to College Park’s holiday celebration tradition
Connection to Mission
The Holiday Tinsel Trail celebrates community diversity through creative expression. Each tree represents a different organization contributing to College Park’s character. UAFAH’s participation demonstrated that building the Beloved Community means showing up for community – in parades, in forums, in conversations, and yes, in decorating Christmas trees. Unity is built through consistent presence and participation.