CARLISLE, Ky. — Christmas trees in memory of loved ones are back up in Carlisle this year. It’s part of a four-year tradition that has grown over the years.

What You Need To Know

  • This is the fourth year in a row Carlisle has put up Christmas trees in memory of loved ones

  • The trees are decorated in memory of loved ones in Carlisle 

  • The community of a couple thousand has been through tough times over the last few years

  • This year, nearly 300 trees line the courthouse’s exterior

Butterflies, cardinals and red hats are just some of the many items that have been turned into meaningful ornaments on the memorial Christmas trees. Gladys Shrout has multiple trees representing her loved ones this year, like her sister-in-law who passed away from cancer. 

“It’s really touching to me. It makes me want to cry because it means something not only to us and their families, [but] this means something to our whole county and we’re very proud,” Shrout said.

Gladys said over the years, the interest in the community has grown. There were less than 100 trees requests in the first year, and this year saw nearly 300 requests.

“That’s what’s so wonderful about this, it represents not only the deceased people, it represents their personal life and that’s I feel like that’s important to the family,” Shrout said.

It helps bring together such a small community who has been through tough times within the last few years, between the COVID-19 pandemic and severe flooding in late July.

“It’s very important to them and it’s important to us because we see the families come up around their tree and decorate the tree, it’s surprising to see how many people will be around that one tree,” Shrout said.

And with the holidays in full swing, Shrout said it’s the best way to remember those who made an impact in Carlisle. 

The trees will be up through the new year, and city officials said they are already planning and ordering trees for next year’s Christmas tree memorial.

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