Registration opens for Festival of Trees Special Events

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Oct. 31, 2017 - PRLog -- Tickets are now available for the 11th annual Festival of Trees special events, which in addition to viewing a decorated tree raffle, offers a Tree Preview Party, Ugly Sweater Contest, Painting with a Purpose and Bingo. These ticketed events include entrance into the winter wonderland of decorated trees at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.

About two dozen uniquely decorated trees, valued at $750 and above, will be on display during the 5-day festival and trees will be raffled and delivered to the winners' homes.

"We have a fun-packed schedule, with something extra happening each day," said Susan Hegarty, Southwest Florida Goodwill's Community Relations Coordinator.

The Festival opens November 29 and runs through December 3, with Santa's Block Party scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2.

Schedule of Special Events:

Tues., Nov. 28          Tree Preview Party, from 6-9 p.m. includes silent auction and Breakthrough awards.
         Tickets: $50.
Wedn,, Nov. 29          Ugly Sweater Contest & Party, sponsored by Bury Me Brewing. Tickets: $15
Thurs., Nov. 30          Painting with a Purpose, sponsored by Painting with a Twist. Tickets: $35
Fri., Dec. 1          Holiday Stroll & Concert featuring the Nowhere Band. Free to attend. $2 to view trees.
Sat., Dec. 2          Santa's Block Party, including Children's Workshop ($6), and Bingo with a Twist
         ($15). Visit Santa, the Vendor Showcase and Food Trucks.
Sun., Dec. 3          Tree Raffle Drawing, 2 p.m. Admission: $2 ages 12 and older.

"We're excited to offer new opportunities this year, such as the food trucks during Santa's Block Party and Bingo. Volunteers are still needed and it's a great way to experience the festival," Hegarty added.

Regular admission to view the trees only is $2 for children and adults 12 and older. More information is available at www.GoodwillTrees.com. Proceeds benefit the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.

For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.

Proceeds from this event go to the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation, in support of Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades Counties. The agency's mission is to help people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence. Goodwill's programs in Southwest Florida include Pathways to Opportunity and Pathways to Work, Job-Link resource centers, veterans' services, small business training classes, disability-accessible housing, and more.

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Editors: Interviews with Tree Sponsors, Santa Nick, Breakthrough Award winners, venue hosts and others can be arranged upon request by calling Hegarty at (239) 271-5200. Photos from previous Festival of Trees events are also available upon request.