Decking the Halls

Area tree festivals adding holiday cheer and raising funds for groups, more

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – For 20 years, Pat Williams has donated time and materials for the “Festival of Trees” at the Hands On! Regional Museum.
This year is no different.
Except, for this season, Williams has placed Mardi Gras masks and beads on “A Mardi Gras Christmas Celebration” – a matching wreath and four-foot tree, decorated with purple, gold and green decorations, plus balls, lights and feathers.
Williams and a friend, Angie Cox, helped decorate this set as members of the Johnson City Junior Monday Club.
“We’ve always worked with the trees,” Williams said.
These women are part of a network of artists and regional designers, all donating their time and talent to the museum’s “Festival of Trees” fundraiser.
Also on board: Suzan Harrison and Heather Allen, both representing The Christmas Shop in Jonesborough, Tenn.
“We like to do things to give back to the community when we can,” Harrison said.
Harrison and Allen designed a couple of trees called “Vintage Wonderland” for this year’s “Festival of Trees.” The trees boast gold and silver, plus a hint of rose.
“But it still has that cool, icy look,” Harrison said, “so it looks like a winter wonderland.”

‘SEASONAL SOIREE’
The museum’s festival includes a “Showing of the Trees” exhibit, displaying trees, wreaths, garlands and other holiday items through Nov. 17. After that, the trees move on to the museum’s “Night of Lights Gala” – and an auction.
Dubbed a “Seasonal Soiree,” this event on Nov. 20 includes both silent and voice auctions offering a wide variety of gifts – from a bathtub to a photography session, a dove hunt trip, meals and vacations.
The gala is the museum’s biggest fundraiser, grossing $80,000 annually, said Hands On! marketing director Kristine Carter.
Another regional tree-themed fundraiser starts a few days later when Knoxville’s “Fantasy of Trees” kicks off on Nov. 25 at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Held to raise money for the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, this five-day event includes a variety of children’s activities, plus “Santa’s Senior Stroll,” held on Nov. 27, from 9 a.m.-noon, with half-price admission for seniors age 55 and over.

‘DICKENS CHRISTMAS’
Back in Bristol, the Twin City’s train station on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is the place to be on Nov. 29, from 1:30-6:30 p.m., for a Christmas celebration.
“This is like a beginning of our tour of homes,” said organizer Liz Marshall.
With another organizer, Jewell Williams, Marshall recently showed off a Christmas tree set up as a model for Bristol’s first “Festival of Trees” exhibit.
“We hope to have at least 20 more trees of various sizes,” Marshall said.
The trees will be sold at silent auction at the event, featuring hostesses dressed in Victorian-age costumes. Money raised will help care for East Hill Cemetery.
Having this event at the 1902 train station seems perfect, Williams said. “It reminds me of a [Charles] Dickens Christmas scene.”
The event is also good for the depot, said train station manager Brad McCroskey. “It’s getting more people in to see the building.”

‘WONDERFUL WREATHS’
In Big Stone Gap, the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is staging its own “Festival of Trees,” running Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.
Reminiscent of Victorian-era holiday festivities, all four floors of the museum are being decorated with more than 80 holiday trees, as well as doorway and banister decorations. The decorations come from local families, businesses and civic organizations.
But that’s not all you’ll find with a Christmas theme at this museum:
A workshop called “Wonderful Wreaths” on Nov. 21, from 1-3 p.m., shows you how to make a great Christmas wreath. Sign up by Nov. 13. The workshop fee is $10, and the class is limited to 20 participants.
The museum is hosting a $10 “Breakfast with the Grinch” on Dec. 5, starting at 8:30 a.m., for $10 per person. This event features a reading of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Photos with Santa, also, are available for $5 per photo, with sessions running from 9 a.m.-noon.
“Sweet Treats” on Dec. 12, from 1-3 p.m., features a workshop with local baker Donna Ball.
An event called “Tea with Mrs. Claus” on Dec. 20, from 1-3 p.m., includes a visit with Mrs. Claus for $15 for an adult and child, plus $5 for each additional child.

IF YOU GO: HOLIDAY TREE FESTIVALS

JOHNSON CITY
What: 21st Annual “Festival of Trees” and “Seasonal Soiree”
Where: Hands On! Regional Museum, Main Street, Johnson City, Tenn.
When: Trees are on view until Nov. 17. The soiree will be held on Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Details: The soiree features emcee Josh Smith of WJHL-11Connects, plus music by The M.J. Becks Band and dinner by Main Street Catering. The event benefits the museum.
How much: $100 ticket for gala
Info: (423) 928-6508 Ext. 108
E-mail:

BRISTOL
What: Bristol “Festival of Trees”
Where: Bristol Train Station, Bristol, Va.
When: Nov. 29, 1:30-6:30 p.m.
Details: The event benefits East Hill Cemetery.
How much: $3 admission (This fee is also good towards the Christmas Tour of Homes on Dec. 6, 1:30-6:30 p.m.)
Info: (423) 652-0163 or (423) 418-4621

BIG STONE GAP
What: “Festival of Trees”
Where: Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, Big Stone Gap, Va.
When: Nov. 15-Dec. 31. Night viewings on Saturdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., starting Nov. 28.
How much: Admission rates are $3 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12 and free of charge for children under age 6. For groups of 10 or more, the admission rate is $1.50 per person.
Info: (276) 523-1322.

KNOXVILLE
What: “Fantasy of Trees”
Where: Knoxville Convention Center, Henley Street at Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn.
When: Nov. 25-29
How much: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12, free for children age 4 and younger
Info: (865) 541-8385