Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Festival of the Trees lights up the holidays
 |
| . |
By Amy Stanley
Daily News staff writer
Beloit Memorial Hospital's holiday celebration, Festival of the Trees, will shine bright tonight through Sunday at the Ramada Inn of South Beloit.
A tradition put on every other year, the Festival of the Trees showcases thousands of lights and dozens of designs as Christmas trees and wreaths are decked out for the season in a fabulous display for the public to see. Now in its 12th year, the festival is a sure-fire way to get in the holiday spirit and benefit the hospital's Cancer Care Center.
Linda Lynch, volunteer Festival of the Trees coordinator, said this year's event is better and brighter than ever.
"It's never been as big as it is now," Lynch said.
More than 80 items will be decorated, including 3-, 4-, 6- and 7-foot trees, wall trees and two sizes of wreaths.
The FOT volunteer crew purchases the trees which are then decorated and sponsored by various area individuals, organizations and businesses. The FOT has enjoyed themed trees of all sorts, and this year's creative lineup is no exception. This year's trees will include such themes as Coca Cola, an Irish Christmas, to crystal, cardinals and silver and ice.
"There are some really clever ones. It's just a really nice time. It's good to attend with our children. People are happy the proceeds go back to the hospital," Deanna Feuerstein, FOT chairwoman, said.
New this year will be a silent auction of items. Raffles also will be held and some trees that haven't been sponsored will be available for purchase.
Other FOT activities include a Children's Corner, sweet shop and gift shop. A local train collector also has donated a holiday "G-scale" model train as a special raffle item.
A Breakfast with Santa will be held 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. The cost is $6 for adults and children ages 13 and older; and $4, children ages 12 and under.
Planning for the FOT begins a year in advance, one reason for the event being held every other year. Volunteers used to have to wrangle with strings of light by the hundreds, but are now thankful the trees are purchased pre-lit. More than 600 lights have adorned trees, Feuerstein said. And about 60 cords of lights still must be strung per wreath.
The FOT volunteers donate their time, as do the decorators who began assembling the holiday works of art early this week.
Lynch explained that the hospital's Volunteers in Partnership, or VIPs, meet at the beginning of the year to vote on the recipients of proceeds generated by fund-raisers held throughout the year. This year's choice was the Cancer Care Center.
The FOT is the largest fund-raiser for the hospital, Lynch said.
More than $20,000 was raised by the event last year, Feuerstein said.
That amount is this year's goal as well.
Lynch said FOT visitors come from around the area.
"We encourage them to attend to see what a beautiful job the volunteers have done," Lynch said. "Unless you see it, you can't believe it."
Feuerstein said the popular event gets everyone ready for the holidays.
"I guess it gets you in the spirit," she said.
FOT hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today and Friday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m Sunday at the Ramada Inn of South Beloit, located at the corner of routes 251 and 75.
Tickets are $4, adults; $1 children ages 6-12.
Advance tickets are $3 and are available at the Gifts from the Hart Gift Shop located at Beloit Memorial Hospital and at Visit Beloit.
For more information, call (608) 364-5162.
A tradition put on every other year, the Festival of the Trees showcases thousands of lights and dozens of designs as Christmas trees and wreaths are decked out for the season in a fabulous display for the public to see. Now in its 12th year, the festival is a sure-fire way to get in the holiday spirit and benefit the hospital's Cancer Care Center.
Linda Lynch, volunteer Festival of the Trees coordinator, said this year's event is better and brighter than ever.
"It's never been as big as it is now," Lynch said.
More than 80 items will be decorated, including 3-, 4-, 6- and 7-foot trees, wall trees and two sizes of wreaths.
The FOT volunteer crew purchases the trees which are then decorated and sponsored by various area individuals, organizations and businesses. The FOT has enjoyed themed trees of all sorts, and this year's creative lineup is no exception. This year's trees will include such themes as Coca Cola, an Irish Christmas, to crystal, cardinals and silver and ice.
"There are some really clever ones. It's just a really nice time. It's good to attend with our children. People are happy the proceeds go back to the hospital," Deanna Feuerstein, FOT chairwoman, said.
New this year will be a silent auction of items. Raffles also will be held and some trees that haven't been sponsored will be available for purchase.
Other FOT activities include a Children's Corner, sweet shop and gift shop. A local train collector also has donated a holiday "G-scale" model train as a special raffle item.
A Breakfast with Santa will be held 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. The cost is $6 for adults and children ages 13 and older; and $4, children ages 12 and under.
Planning for the FOT begins a year in advance, one reason for the event being held every other year. Volunteers used to have to wrangle with strings of light by the hundreds, but are now thankful the trees are purchased pre-lit. More than 600 lights have adorned trees, Feuerstein said. And about 60 cords of lights still must be strung per wreath.
The FOT volunteers donate their time, as do the decorators who began assembling the holiday works of art early this week.
Lynch explained that the hospital's Volunteers in Partnership, or VIPs, meet at the beginning of the year to vote on the recipients of proceeds generated by fund-raisers held throughout the year. This year's choice was the Cancer Care Center.
The FOT is the largest fund-raiser for the hospital, Lynch said.
More than $20,000 was raised by the event last year, Feuerstein said.
That amount is this year's goal as well.
Lynch said FOT visitors come from around the area.
"We encourage them to attend to see what a beautiful job the volunteers have done," Lynch said. "Unless you see it, you can't believe it."
Feuerstein said the popular event gets everyone ready for the holidays.
"I guess it gets you in the spirit," she said.
FOT hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today and Friday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m Sunday at the Ramada Inn of South Beloit, located at the corner of routes 251 and 75.
Tickets are $4, adults; $1 children ages 6-12.
Advance tickets are $3 and are available at the Gifts from the Hart Gift Shop located at Beloit Memorial Hospital and at Visit Beloit.
For more information, call (608) 364-5162.
 |
 |
|
| Rockton backs riverboat plan | Breakfast focuses on condition, future of the economy |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
Submit a Comment
Login below to post your comment. |
Not yet a member? Use the form below to register. |
