NEW BRAUNFELS – Volunteers and sponsors put on the 5th Annual Festival of Trees to benefit senior citizens in Comal County from Nov. 19 – Nov. 21.
Visitors of all ages walked through an indoor “winter wonderland” and listened to entertainment on Tuesday during the opening of the tree festival. Thirty-two extravagantly decorated Christmas trees filled a rustic deckhouse overlooking the Guadalupe river as Everlasting Praise Choir sang carols to a room full of spectators.
The fully decorated trees range from 3 ft. – 7.5 ft tall were available for purchase during the three-day silent auction event. Festival-goers could bid on their favorite trees until 8 p.m. on Nov. 21, or pay the “Buy it Now” price to ensure ownership. Guests could have also bid on 13 decorated wreaths. Visitors were able to purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win a bundle of Christmas certificates valued at $1,965.
All proceeds from the festival benefit the Comal County Senior Citizen Foundation and Meals on Wheels.
Festival-goers chose to sponsor presents for a local senior citizen by picking a name from the “Be a Santa to a Senior” tree.
Live entertainment from a variety of acts filled the hall with holiday spirit every hour. The family friendly event also featured Santa and Mrs. Clause every day from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Joyce Sullivan, director of the Everlasting Praise Choir, said the event was a great way to get her choir warmed up and into the spirit for their upcoming Christmas season.
The 5th Annual Festival of Trees is open to the public from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Nov. 19 – Nov. 21, at the River Venue in Milltown Historic District. For more information, visit www.festivaloftreesnb.com.
