40th Festival of Trees

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Randy Bachand

Enjoy a dazzling holiday display during Festival of Trees from November 29 through December 2.

Festival of Trees Celebrates “Forty Years of Silver and Gold”

Presented by Friends of Hospice, the 40th annual Festival of Trees “Forty Years of Silver and Gold” will be held November 29 through December 2 in downtown Easton. Presented by Friends of Hospice, Festival of Trees has raised nearly $4 million to assist with Talbot Hospice’s operating budget.

The tradition of Festival of Trees is rich with love and commitment to Talbot Hospice. After experiencing the loss of a loved one who was an early patient of Talbot Hospice, Midge Fuller and her friend Leslie Ware began a crusade and spent a year organizing the very first Festival of Trees in 1985. The organization is as vibrant as ever and Midge and Leslie continue their crusade even now as this year’s Festival co-chairmen.

• Preview Gala: Launching the Festival of Trees has traditionally been the Preview Gala, a black-tie fundraising event, which will be held on Friday, November 28 at the Tidewater Inn’s Gold Room. From 6 to 8 p.m., guests will enjoy a lavish affair with the first opportunity to view 100 exquisitely trimmed trees of varying sizes as well as a dozen elegantly decorated wreaths. A highlight of the evening is the opportunity to bid on a special tree decorated with exquisite Michael Aram ornaments. Tickets to the Gala are sold in advance only.

• Festival of Trees: The Gold Ballroom opens to the public from Saturday, November 29 through December 2. On view will be 100 beautifully decorated and lit trees all adorned in white, gold and silver. Various live performances will entertain guests all four days. Of note this year is the return of The Shoppe, selling tasteful items that are perfect for the gift giving season.

• Santa 5K Fun Run/Walk: Dress with the holiday spirit in mind; participants hit the pavement on Saturday, November 29 at 9 a.m. at Idlewild Park. The event is perfect for strollers, dogs and all abilities. On-site registration starts at 8 a.m. and advance sign-ups are online at festival-of-trees.org.

• Santa’s Workshop: This year’s family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, November 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., nestled in the Tidewater Inn’s Ballroom Garden. Children will be greeted by Santa and may pose for photos. Write a letter to Santa, enjoy an Elf Story Time, compete at game stations, create an ornament or color at various craft stations, and walk away with special tokens of the day. Santa’s workshop is free with admittance to the Festival of Trees.

• Carols by Candlelight: Carols by Candlelight is a magical holiday event, free to all on Saturday, November 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. Sing along with choral groups, bell ringers, and musicians. Visit with Santa on the grounds of The Bullitt House at the corner of Washington and Dover streets. Everyone gets a free candle and candy cane. Food trucks will be on site and holiday merchandise will be on sale. This event is perfect for families of all ages to enjoy.

• Poinsettia Tree: View the beautiful 12-foot poinsettia “tree” during the Festival of Trees in the Gold Ballroom at The Tidewater Inn. Elegant white poinsettias, sold in advance to raise money for Talbot Hospice, will adorn the tree throughout the Festival. A memory scroll features those names to honor this holiday season. Take home your poinsettias for the holidays or donate to Hospice House.

• Keepsake Luminaries: A returning favorite! Keepsake luminaries honor a loved one. Designed and created by Pat and Eric Harvey, a limited number of the metal luminaries will be sold online, then displayed in the Gold Ballroom. At the conclusion of the Festival of Trees, the luminaries will be available for pickup in time to enjoy for the holiday season.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.festival-of-trees.org.