The Walk In Art Center’s Festival of Trees begins on Nov. 23, and area school and civic groups and nonprofits are welcome to decorate a tree to win cash for their organization. The festival runs for two weeks and ends at the Schuylkill Haven center’s Holiday Artisan Market on Dec. 7.
“Eight groups have already registered,” WIAC Executive Director Jacquie Engel said in late October. “We hope to have more than 20 this year.”
There is no fee for groups that bring their own tree and loads of creativity. The center has some trees that can be used for a $25 fee.
“The groups who have raised the most money in the past have really promoted their tree,” Engel said. “Some groups go the extra mile by posting on social media and asking people to check out their tree in the festival. It’s a win-win for the group and for the Walk In.”
Trees are put up for bid, and 100% of the bid money goes right to the organization, along with 50% of their voting funds. The group with the most votes wins the $200 first prize. It’s $100 for the second most. People can vote in person or online at $1 per vote.
There are also special awards: Holiday Spirit — for the most traditional, Outside the Box — for the most unique, Home Made Holiday — for those who create the ornaments themselves, Seasonal Showstopper — for the one with the “wow factor,” Artsy-Fartsy—for the most creative, and awards for first and second place in voting.
Guidelines and registration for the event are available at walkinartcenter.org. Supporters and friends of the participating groups are encouraged to visit the site and vote for their favorite tree.
With the Festival of Trees, the WIAC’s annual Holiday Artisan Market, and the annual Jingle Mingle, Engel estimates that nearly 1,500 people spent time at the Walk In this year.
“This year will be even bigger,” she said.
The Festival of Trees is sponsored by Renewal by Anderson, and all events at the Walk In Art Center are supported through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Find out about the show and other Walk In Art Center guilds, events and expos, art classes, vendor opportunities, and family events by visiting facebook.com/walkinartcenter or at walkinartcenter.org.
Source: Berkshire mont
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