While many Southwest Floridians will spend “Black Friday” at the mall, others will kick off their holiday season in a much more relaxing manner, at the Festival of Trees. This family friendly winter wonderland opens at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, and is open daily through Wednesday, Dec. 2. The Festival of Trees is hosted by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida at the historic Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers.
This will be the third year that Goodwill has presented the Festival of Trees in the Fort Myers River District. Last year, more than 3,000 people visited the showcase of beautifully decorated holiday trees. Admission to the Festival of Trees is free.
The 2009 Festival of Trees will feature 24 lavishly decorated holiday trees, which are decorated by area businesses, decorators, artists, and other individuals. This year’s decorators include Robb & Stucky, Miss Lucy’s House of Holidays, and the Butterfly Estates. In addition, the annual Christmas tree showdown between the University of Florida and Florida State University will also take place.
On Saturday, Nov. 28, the Festival will be one of the centerpieces of the Fort Myers “Holiday Stroll,” a River District holiday celebration. That evening, the mayor will conduct a ceremonial tree lighting on the steps of the Art Center, and the nationally-renowned “Spirit of the Gulf” chorale will provide entertainment on the Art Center steps.
The Festival culminates in the glamorous black-tie “Tux and Trees” gala on Friday, Dec. 4. At that time, the trees will be auctioned off in a live auction hosted by auctioneer Scott Robertson and WINK news anchor Stacey Adams. Tickets to the gala are $100 per person, and proceeds benefit the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.
For more information about the Festival of Trees or the Tux and Trees Gala, including hours of operation, volunteering, or ticket sales, visit www.tuxandtrees.com , or call (239) 995-2106 ext. 249.