Festival of Trees kicks off the holiday season

Presented by Friends of Hospice, the 39th annual Festival of Trees is set to bedazzle this holiday season. The fundraiser raises critical funds for Talbot Hospice.

Preview Gala
The Preview Gala will again be a formal affair on Friday, November 29 with the kickoff of the Festival of Trees. From 6 to 8 p.m., guests will have the first opportunity to view 100 exquisitely trimmed trees of varying sizes. Tickets to the Preview Gala are available in advance only for $125 per person or $200 per couple. While the larger trees are sponsored in advance, Preview Gala guests get the first opportunity to purchase the smaller trees, from 12 inches to three feet, in varying price ranges. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails in the Gold Ballroom at The Tidewater Inn while listening to piano tunes from the talented Joan Dent. An on-time arrival to the Gala is essential so guests won’t miss out on a beautiful surprise.

Festival of Trees
The Gold Ballroom opens to the public from Saturday, November 30 through December 3. A big highlight for many in the community are the beautifully decorated trees at the Tidewater Inn. As always, local performers will be cycling throughout the event to provide beautiful music and singing.

Keepsake Luminaries
New this year is the debut of one-of-a-kind, keepsake luminaries in honor of 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.

Carols by Candlelight
Returning for the fifth year, Carols by Candlelight is a magical holiday event, free for all families on Saturday, November 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. Sing along with choral groups, bell ringers, and musicians while enjoying hot cocoa and holiday treats. Santa will be located on the grounds of The Bullitt House at the corner of Washington and Dover streets in downtown Easton. Other visitors include The Grinch, Elsa, and Buddy the Elf.

Fine Jewelry Raffle
This year, the Festival of Trees introduces a Fine Jewelry Raffle, courtesy of Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry, of Easton. Thanks to this generosity, a beautiful pair of satin ball earrings and a 14k yellow gold, ¼ carat diamond bezel necklace will be offered in the raffle to benefit Talbot Hospice. One raffle ticket costs $25 and is available online at www.festival-of-trees.org. and at Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry, located at 27 South Harrison Street. The raffle will be drawn at 5:30 p.m. on December 3 at the conclusion of Festival of Trees.

Santa’s Workshop
Santa’s Workshop returns on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Tidewater Inn’s Ballroom Garden. Children will rotate through stations after being greeted by Santa and posing for a photograph. Children will enjoy writing a letter to Santa, craft stations, entertaining games, lively music, and a SELFie Station with fun props for photo opportunities. Santa’s workshop is free with admittance to the Festival of Trees.

Santa 5K Fun Run/Walk
Encouraged to dress with the holiday spirit in mind, participants will hit the pavement on Saturday, November 30 at 9 a.m. at the Santa 5K Fun Run/Walk. There will be on-site registration starting at 8 a.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton and advance sign-ups will be available at festival-of-trees.org.

Poinsettia Tree
As Christmas is a season for remembering, friends and family remember their loved ones in a very special way by purchasing a poinsettia. The name of someone dear is placed on a Memory Scroll next to a stunning 12-foot poinsettia “tree” during the Festival of Trees in the Gold Ballroom at The Tidewater Inn from November 30 through December 3.

Friends of Hospice was formed in 1984 and began hosting the Festival of Trees in 1986 to raise money for the Talbot Hospice Foundation. To date, close to $4 million has been raised by the Festival of Trees to assist with Talbot Hospice’s operating budget.

As a celebration of life for those who have received Hospice care during the past year, the continued success of Festival of Trees is made possible by the generous financial contributions from local individuals and various businesses. To get involved in any capacity, or to inquire about a sponsorship, contact Festival of Trees Co-Chairmen Karla Wieland-Cherry at [email protected] or 410-310-8421 and Denise Haddaway at 443-995-4431 or [email protected].

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Events
Festival of Trees is comprised of the following events in Easton:
Preview Gala • November 29 • Tidewater Inn’s Gold Room • 6 p.m.
Festival of Trees • November 30-December 3 • Tidewater Inn’s Gold Room • Hours vary
Carols by Candlelight • November 30 • Harrison Street • 5-7 p.m.
Santa’s 5K Fun Run • November 30 • Idlewild Park • 9 a.m.
Santa’s Workshop • November 30-December 1 • Tidewater Inn’s Ballroom Garden • 11 a.m.-4 p.m.