CHARLESTON, W.Va. --

 Elected officials, legislators, other public servants and private citizens across West Virginia are being invited to attend holiday parties at the West Virginia governor's mansion.

   Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and first lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin plan to hold five invitation-only parties this year, up from four in recent years. About 2,000 people attend the events each year.

According to The Associated Press, Tomblin spokeswoman Kimberly Osborne said the parties are scheduled for Dec. 8, Dec. 10, Dec. 15, Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.

   The administration has rented a tent for the festivities which is smaller than a state-owned tent erected during former Gov. Joe Manchin's administration. That tent was sold in March.

   Osborne said the rented tent will be taken down around the end of the 2012 legislative session.