Festival Of Trees Just Around The Corner

What has grown to be known as one of the premiere holiday events in Boundary County, the annual Festival of Trees celebration, a fundraiser for the Fry Healthcare Foundation, is once again scheduled to entertain and delight residents with three great evenings.

According to Abby Maas, Foundation Events Coordinator, this year's Festival of Trees will be held December 10, 11 and 12 in Memorial Hall at the fairgrounds. Centering around the theme, "The Sparkle of Christmas," each evening will focus on an different aspect of the community, ensuring that there is something to appeal to everyone.

Thursday, December 10 will kick off the event with Community Night. The admittance fee will be a can of food which will be donated to the local food bank. Abby said that there will be musical entertainment, refreshments, a country store and a raffle in addition to the displays of gorgeously decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and swags.

On Friday, December 11, a Senior Social will be held from 10am to noon. Abby emphasized that all Seniors are welcome and encouraged to share some holiday cheer. That evening, the general public is invited to view the dazzling tree display. Santa will be in attendance as well as entertainment, and refreshments. There will be several raffles for different "goodie-filled" stockings.

The final evening, Saturday, December 12, is the Gala evening. Abby said that the dress runs from "denim to diamonds" and that may patrons enjoy dressing up for the event. For a fee of $35 per person in advance or $40 at the door, patrons will be served a dinner of either prime rib or chicken marsala catered by the Kootenai River Inn. Big Cat Daddy and Bob, of the KDRK Cat Country morning show, will MC the event which is a new feature this year. There will be a silent auction as well as the traditional auctioning of the trees, wreaths, a pergola and a recliner. Abby emphasized that this year, there will be a surprise honoring of a local person, which she believes will add a very fun, exciting element to the evening. Dinner will be served from 6pm to 7:30pm and the auction will begin at 7pm. Advance tickets can be purchased at Sugar Plum Floral, Boardwalk Boutique, the Gift Gallery and Under the Sun.

"We are looking forward to seeing everyone and continuing with the festival of trees," Abby concluded.