This year is the 25th anniversary of The Festival of Trees and promises
to be the biggest and best yet. In 1999, a group of caring citizens
gathered to help raise funds for the LIFE Ministries Food Pantry.
Decorated holiday trees and a joyous Gala night brought forth much
needed resources and was such a success, that it was held again in 2000.
Subsequently, the Festival committee has organized this event each year
to gather as a community and raise money to benefit over 28 charitable
causes in the greater Wolfeboro area while visitors are awe struck by
creative and clever holiday trees.
The Silver Anniversary is scheduled for December 5-15 at the Wright
Museum with the Gala ticketed event being Thursday, December 5th
featuring refreshments by over 25 local restaurants and caterers. The
trees will be on display the weekends of Dec. 7 – 8 and Dec. 14 -15 and
Wednesday, December 11 between 6-8 pm. In addition, both 60 plus
Festival committee members from over the last 25 years will be honored
along with all previous recipients. Profits from the 25th Anniversary
Festival will be donated to selected local charities who apply this year.
The 2024 Festival of Trees Committee is currently accepting
applications from non-profit charitable organizations who would like to
participate in and be a beneficiary of this year’s event. The
deadline for beneficiary applications is Tuesday, October 1. More than
$375,000 to date has been awarded to area non-profit organizations. The
beneficiaries in 2023, celebrating the Festival’s 24th year, were the
Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Lion’s Club, Magical Yoga and Maker’s Mill.
Non-profits can find the application to apply on the website at https://
www.wolfeborofestivaloftrees.com. . Be sure to explain your need and
how the money will be used to benefit the greater community.
If any business, organization, neighborhood or cheerful citizen would
like to take part in this holiday happening by decorating a tree, please go
on the website and complete the tree registration form and send the fee
of $40 by the 31st of October. We are hoping for a record number of
tree displays!!Thus we will be placing some trees outside in the bricked
courtyard and around key areas of the Wright Museum. Those can be
real or artificial. All indoor trees must be artificial or made of other
material.
Past participants, we thank you for the beautifully decorated and
creative trees in previous years and hope to see you again. New
participants, you are most welcome! Reach out to friends, neighbors and
partnerships! With the expanded new area at the Wright Museum, we are
hoping to fill the space with holiday cheer. Please call Peg Mongiello,
FOT chair, with any questions at 508-596-2850 or message our
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wolfeborofestivaloftrees .
Wright Museum of World War II, 77 Center Street, Wolfeboro NH