Festival of Trees returns to Fort Myers for Family-Friendly Holiday Fun

Oct. 13, 2009 - PRLog -- For the third straight year, the “Festival of Trees” (http://www.tuxandtrees.com) will usher in Southwest Florida’s holiday celebrations in the Fort Myers River District.  Last year, more than 3,000 people visited this magical display of trees decked out in holiday finery. The family-friendly winter wonderland is hosted by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (http://www.goodwillswfl.org) at the historic Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

The Festival kicks off on Friday, November 27 and continues through Wednesday, December 2.  Festival hours are 11 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Monday-Wednesday, and 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Admission to the Festival of Trees is free.  

On Saturday, November 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 Festival of Trees will provide entertainment on the Art Center steps.  

The Festival of Trees will feature approximately 25 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, the Butterfly Estates, and renowned local artist Leoma Lovegrove.

Other local favorites will also be returning, including the annual tree-decorating showdown between the Seminole and Gators fans, and Goodwill’s signature tree, “A Very Beary Christmas.”

The Festival culminates in the glamorous black-tie “Tux and Trees” gala on Friday, December 4.  At that time, the trees will be auctioned off in a live auction hosted by auctioneer Scott Robertson and WINK news anchor Sarah Augusthy. Tickets to the Gala are $100 per person, and proceeds gala benefit the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.

For more information about the Festival of Trees or the Tux and Trees Gala, including volunteering, ticket sales, or sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.tuxandtrees.com, or call 239-995-2106 ext. 249.

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Goodwill operates 24 thrift stores in SW Florida to support its mission of removing barriers to independence. Programs include income-sensitive housing, career placement assistance, the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School, Four Wheels for Work, and others.