An original metalwork sculpture memorial commemorating the 790-plus Garlandites that have perished due to COVID will be unveiled on Garland’s 11th Street at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the corner of 11th Street and Avenue B in the Travis College Hill National Register Historic District.
The small, informal ceremony will take place immediately before the kickoff of the Magical Candlelight Christmas-town 2022 event from 5-9 p.m. in Travis College Hill and in Embree.
If you have lost loved ones due to COVID, you are invited to attend and be recognized as this memorial to Garland’s deceased is unveiled. Local officials and city workers that have administered COVID data collection in Garland will be present.
The original metalwork sculpture of powder-coated aluminum has been designed by Garland Plan Commissioner Christopher Ott, vice president of Friends of Garland’s Historic Magic 11th Street nonprofit. It stands about 5-feet fall and features the sculpture of a flower, a butterfly and an inscription into the aluminum curved stem of the plant. All work on the sculpture was done by Garland small businesses. Sponsored by the Friends nonprofit, the work was commissioned so that families of these deceased individuals will know their loved ones have not been forgotten.
The memorial will sit at the edge of the 11th Street at Avenue B North Entryway Garden and Monarch Butterfly Waystation. A large commemorative sign there recognizes the 109-year-old Travis College Hill neighborhood for surviving two pandemics, two world wars, the Great Depression, the deadly 1927 Garland tornado and other challenges.
The Magical Candlelight Christmas-town 2022 event that follows features a tour of historic homes, costumed interpreters, a photo-op with Santa, a live nativity, carriage rides, crafts booth and hot cocoa. For more information and tickets, visit eventbrite.com.