GRANITE QUARRY — The most popular walking spot in Granite Quarry any time of the year is the trail that includes a lap around Granite Lake Park.

Heading into holidays, the walking path has become even more enjoyable thanks to the businesses, churches and groups which provided 13 decorated and  lighted Christmas trees at the lake.

This is the second official year for “Christmas at the Lake,” something the town’s Revitalization Team and the Parks, Events and Recreation Commission would love to see become a holiday tradition.

“We’re trying to  turn it into a larger event,” says Sandy Moore, manager of the F&M Bank in Granite Quarry and a member of the Revitalization Team.

Christmas at the Lake had an auspicious beginning last year when it poured on the day the town scheduled the official lighting, though those eight trees were a handsome park addition through the rest of the holiday season.

Things went better this year, thanks to some great weather.

After scores of children and their families turned out for Santa’s appearance at the park Dec. 7, an official lighting of the Granite Lake trees occurred immediately afterward at about 5:15 p.m.

Town Maintenance Director Kim Cress did the honor of flipping the switch.

This year, the trees are on from 5 to 10 every night. They won’t be removed until Jan. 2.

The organizers gave participants who put up trees room to be creative. The only real requirement was that the trees erected be a minimum of 7 feet tall. They could be real or artificial, and Deputy Clerk Sarah Cross reports that only one — the tree decorated by the Parks, Events and Recreation Commission — is a real one.

There was no charge for having a tree. But each participating business, church or organization had to provide everything except the electricity, so they have an investment.

This year’s participants included Slice of Heaven Pizza, F&M Bank, the parks commission, Wittenberg Lutheran Church, Ram Electric, Granite Quarry Civitan, the Hot Dog Shack, Fisher-Greene Insurance, Bella Salon & Spa, Price Pharmacy, Novant Health, CAC Plumbing and Nazareth Community Church.

Each tree includes a sign identifying who the sponsor is.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.