The City of Camden’s annual Arbor Day Ceremony and tree planting on Friday, December 6th commemorated the Arts Center of Kershaw County’s 50th Anniversary season this year.

“I spent so many years here as a child and have so many great memories here,” said Mayor Vincent Sheheen as he opened the program. “And I am excited to return here, as Mayor, and celebrate 50 years of the Arts Center and honor that with this Arbor Day commemoration.”

Mayor Sheheen was joined by City Councilman William Wilkes in the reading of the proclamation for Arbor Day, before presenting it to Arts Center Executive Director Dolly Patton. Each year, the City of Camden plants a tree to honor or commemorate an individual, group or organization. The City’s Parks & Trees Commission chooses the recipient of each Arbor Day tree planting. This year, a Chinese Fringetree, commonly referred to as the “Grancy Graybeard,” was chosen for the Arts Center and planted between the Douglas Reed House and the Daniels Education building.

“On behalf of the Arts Center of Kershaw County, I would like to sincerely thank the City of Camden for honoring 50 years of the Arts Center with the planting of a tree on Arbor Day,” said Arts Center Board President Lee Inabinet. “We are incredibly proud that, for the past 50 years, we have been able to serve the community through countless musical concerts, festivals, educational classes, theater productions and dance performances. We are deeply grateful and humbled by this recognition. It is our hope that 50 years from now, the citizens of Kershaw County will gather beneath this tree to celebrate 100 years of the arts in our community.”

Arbor Day began in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, when more than one million trees were planted as part of the celebration. In the U.S., Arbor Day is most commonly observed on the last Friday in April, but South Carolina is the only state to observe Arbor Day on the first Friday of December. This coincides with the best tree planting weather for this region, while trees are dormant and will focus on root growth instead of leaf production when planted.