Kick off your holiday season at the Fraser River Valley Lions Club’s 12th annual Festival of Trees, held 4-8 p.m. Friday Dec. 4 at the Grand Park Community Recreation Center in Fraser Admission is always free and there’s something fun for everyone. This year’s Festival will showcase more trees and wreaths than ever before, with 24 trees, 6 wreaths, and several Hanukah items decorated by 31 local non-profit organizations available for purchase in a silent auction. All the proceeds from the silent auction go directly to the non-profit that decorated the holiday item.

And, of course, Santa Claus never misses the Festival of Trees. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit from 5-6:30 p.m. and free pictures with Santa will be available. Light snacks are provided as are wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, and hot cider- all courtesy of the Lions Club and our generous supporters.

The now legendary wood carver, Bill Browne, the father of Jeff Browne a Fraser River Valley Lions Club member, is once again donating his beautiful carvings to the Festival and they’ll be available for purchase.

And we can’t forget the delicious desserts also sold at silent auction and donated by the best bakers and pastry chefs in the county. Come and bid early and often.

Again this year, visitors to the Festival will have the opportunity to decide the top 3 decorated trees at this year’s event. By buying tickets at $1 each or 6 for $5, you vote with those tickets for your favorite tree or trees. All the proceeds from ticket sales go right back to the non-profit organization in whose ballot box the ticket is deposited, so ballot box stuffing is encouraged! The top 3 vote getters also earn a cash prize from the Lions Club.

Last but certainly not least, at 7:45 p.m. a drawing will be held to choose the winner of a “Year Round Fraser Valley Fun Package” valued at over $1,200. The lucky winner gets tickets for a hot air balloon ride, golf, lunches, cross country skiing, a summer family day pass at the resort, and a sleigh ride. Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25 and can be purchased at the Festival, in advance at Safeway (weekends only), or from any Lion member.

The Fraser River Valley Lions Club donates the fresh trees (in stands) and wreaths to the local non-profit organizations for their creative decorating. The Lions also organize, plan, advertise, and staff the event, provide the food and beverages for the Festival, and even deliver the trees the next day to all the winning bidders.

The Lions Club thanks our generous supporters who make this family holiday event possible: Devils Thumb Ranch, Grand Park Community Recreation Center, Hot Air Balloon Adventure, Mountain Movers, Pole Creek Golf Course, Safeway, Sky-Hi News, Sombrero Stables, Winter Park & Fraser Chamber of Commerce, Winter Park Resort and Winter Park Wine and Spirits.