An annual tradition returns on Sunday to Polk County as a way for the community to share in the holiday spirit all across the area, and even the globe.
Ring the Bell Polk is almost here for the 2023 holiday season, bringing and opportunity on Sunday evening for everyone to come together in a positive spirit heading into a new year and to provide a bit of magic for Santa’s midnight ride around the world delivering presents to good girls and boys.
Jannah Crenshaw started the bell ringing effort locally during the first COVID Christmas in 2020 as a way to help bring the community into the holiday spirit during a tough time for every family across the country. She came across the idea online who had planned their own events for the year, harking back to a common tradition in European towns and cities from centuries past into the present.
In an effort to keep that same magic alive, Crenshaw and others in the community this year encourages you to ring the bells for Santa on Christmas Eve as this year Santa’s ride falls on a Sunday night.
She posted about it on Facebook on Thursday:
4 Days Until Christmas & I realize that I totally forgot to mention that our 4th Annual Ring The Bell Polk is offically a GO!!!
This year will look a little different as we take a much needed slow down and gather with our families from our homes while spreading the Christmas cheer.
Don’t forget to get those Bells dusted off and ready to ring at 6pm Christmas Eve wherever you may be!
Thank you City of Cedartown for your continued support in this small idea that has become such a big tradition for Polk County. I can’t wait to hear those bells ringing through the air.
However, in the annual proclamation approved by the Cedartown City Commission for their session on Dec. 11, they encourage all to ring a bell at 6 p.m. on Sunday night: churches, residents and businesses alike.
Here’s what the City of Cedartown has posted about this year’s tradition as well:
Ringing out year No. 4!
What started in 2020 as a way for local residents to celebrate the season while cautiously navigating COVID-era precautions has turned into an annual Cedartown tradition.
Resident Jannah Crenshaw ran across the idea of a group of people collectively “ringing the bells on Christmas Eve” on the Internet. A common tradition in European towns and cities, Jannah thought it was a spectacular idea. She wanted to bring the entire community on board, so she approached the Cedartown City Commission. In turn, the commission issued an official proclamation, stating that December 24 was “Ring the Bell” day in Cedartown. That was in 2020, and every year since then, Jannah has asked the City for an official proclamation and they’ve done so happily. This year was no exception. Jannah is pictured with Commission Chair Jessica Payton with the official 2023 proclamation.
As such, residents, businesses and churches are encouraged to step outside at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve 2023 and ring bells for two minutes. Raise your hand to you ear, and you just might hear some ringing back at you!
So get out a bell and head onto the front porch on December 24 at 6 p.m. and ring it along with the rest of the community for two solid minutes.
Polk Today is excited to continue participating in this annual tradition. For those who head outside on Sunday evening to Ring the Bell Polk 2023 and want to share photos or video with Polk Today for a Christmas morning feature may contribute them to polktoday@gmail.com. The item will be available for all to enjoy.
