The Morning Blend
Welcome
Complete Media Kit
SIERRA VISTA — It’s that time of year.
From elegant angel trees, to quirky Dr. Seuss, to traditional holiday themes, the Mall at Sierra Vista and Hospital Foundation are gearing up for the eighth annual Festival of Trees.
“Our goal is to start this event much earlier than in past years,” said Eva Dickerson, who is the hospital foundation manager. “We want the public to have more time to enjoy the displays.”
As one of the annual fundraisers for the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Foundation, an organization that helps purchase items on the hospital’s wish list, money raised at the festival will go toward a new Digital Mammography system.
 Cover by Janet LaValley-Herald/Review |
Every year, beautifully decorated trees of varied themes transform the mall into a winter wonderland during the holidays. The artificial trees are purchased, decorated and donated to the foundation by different businesses, civic organizations, schools and individuals for the public’s holiday enjoyment. Trees will be on display from Monday through Dec. 2. Festival participants will need to choose one of three days — Friday, Saturday, or Sunday — to assemble their tree and have it completely decorated in one day, during mall hours.
Trees will be judged on Nov. 21 by a panel of impartial judges selected by the festival committee. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three trees in the following four categories: Traditional, Children Design, Patriotic and Imaginative.
After the judging, members of the public will have an opportunity to purchase trees for a “Buy it Now” price placed on the entries. Pricing is based on the value of the tree. All trees that are purchased during the “Buy it Now” time will be identified with a sold sign. Unsold trees can be purchased at an auction during the evening celebration on Dec. 2, the final day of the festival. The celebration is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the mall near Dillard’s. Snacks and beverages will be provided at the event.
In addition to the trees, the festival will be featuring wreaths, stockings and gingerbread houses. Wreaths and stockings will be on display with the trees, but gingerbread houses will be displayed for a shorter duration, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2.
Wreaths will be judged as one entry, awarded first through third place ribbons.
Judged on creativity and originality, the winning gingerbread houses will be awarded first- through third-place ribbons in the following categories: Professional, for those in the food service industry; Amateur, those 18 years of age or older; and Kids, 17 and under. It’s OK to use kits in the Kids category. Judging for gingerbread houses will be Nov. 27.
At the conclusion of the festival on Dec. 2, all trees can be picked up by those who have purchased them. Delivery is provided for larger trees. Every year, Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista volunteers to transport the trees as a community service project. Delivery will be on Dec. 3.
“We’re very excited to be part of this event,” said Ken Cecil, who is the mall manager and chairman of the festival committee. “As a board member, it allows me to put the mall on the venue during the annual festival, which is something all our merchants and vendors are really looking forward to. This event is good for the foundation, good for the mall and good for the community.”
Festival committee member Bill Hess talked about another feature the festival is offering, charity trees. “We’ll have two charity trees this year, which will be decorated by the public with decorations that they donate. The trees will be given to two Habitat for Humanity families who have just moved into their new homes. They’ll celebrate the holidays in fine style.”
The charity trees will be on display at the mall, along with the other festival items.
In addition to the Dec. 3 celebration, there will be a raffle drawing. Tickets are currently for sale at FYE music store and the mall office for $5 each or five for $20. Prizes include: a 40-inch flat screen Sony Bravia television donated by Best Buy; an Electric fireplace from Sulphur Springs Valley Electric; a Kitchen Aid coffee maker from Lowe’s; a Kitchen Aid mixer, also from Lowe’s; two matted and framed pictures from Photography by Ty; a $150 Dillard’s gift card; and a $25 Cold Stone Creamery gift card. It’s not necessary to be present at the festival celebration to win.
For information about the festival, contact Dickerson at the hospital foundation, 417-4990.
Former Festival Participant wrote on Nov 21, 2007 8:25 AM: