TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — A Christmas tree placed literally on the shores of Sunset Beach is proving to be quite the tourist attraction this holiday season.
- Tarpon Springs businessman started putting up tree up 3 years ago
- Tree accompanied by snowman-like "Sandman"
- Tree will stay up until sunset Christmas Day
- More Good News stories
"We’ve never seen something like this before," said Nicole Kruszewski, a Pennsylvania tourist visiting the area with her family.
Kruszewski was one of dozens of people who stopped to take pictures of and with the tree and a nearby "sandman," shaped to resemble snowmen found in colder climates.
"I think it’s cute," she said. "It was fun taking pictures, because it’s in the water so the kids got to play and have fun and it’s really cute."
Eric Jones and his wife Yin were also tickled by this display. The Massachusetts couple has a vacation home here and saw this while walking the beach.
"This is just the coolest thing you can find," Jones said. "I actually like the sand snowman. That kills me."
This is what Tarpon Springs Businessman Mike Womack had in mind when he started putting this tree up three years ago.
"I'm trying to give people a reason to get out of the house during the holidays, come visit our little town and enjoy life a little bit," he said.
Womack, who runs a local concierge service, wanted to do something to bring the community together. He had no idea it would become as popular as it is.
"More people are finding out about it and it’s becoming a little family tradition," Womack said. "Customers of mine come out and bring special little ornaments to decorate our little community tree."
Womack points out the sand snowman was not part of the original exhibit. That was built by a visitor, further proof that people in Tarpon Springs are getting into the holiday season.
Womack plans to take down the tree Christmas Day at sunset.