PORT ANGELES — Christmas trees and wreaths, elaborately decorated in lights and tinsel, will fill the halls of the Vern Burton Community Center for the Festival of Trees this weekend.
Tickets to the three-day festival and festive holiday gatherings — one of the most popular on the North Olympic Peninsula — can be purchased at The Toggery, 105 E. First St., in downtown Port Angeles.
All of the events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be at the Vern Burton center at 308 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Now in its 19th year, the festival is a fundraiser for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Port Angeles Exchange Club.
The Christmas trees and wreaths, created by local designers, are auctioned during the Friday night Gala Premier, which includes a gourmet buffet dinner and dance.
Last year’s auction of trees and wreaths raised a record $120,000.
Trees are decorated by businesses, organizations and community members and include mounds of gifts or other items — football and baseball tickets, golf packages and gift certificates for travel, spas and clothing stores.
The festival’s Family Days on Saturday and Sunday feature entertainment and give visitors a chance to see the Christmas trees before they are delivered to the homes or businesses of the winning bidders.
Tree festival events
Festival of Trees events and prices, with all events at the Vern Burton and tickets available at The Toggery:
n Friday — Festival of Trees Gala begins at 5:30 p.m. Gourmet buffet, tree auction, silent auction and dancing with live music ($95 each).
Tickets are sold out for the Teddy Bear Tea for parents and children from 10 a.m. and noon on Friday.
nSEnSSaturday — Senior Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. for seniors 55 and older or those with limited mobility. Includes sit-down breakfast ($10 each).
Family Days runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Viewing of decorated trees, musical entertainers and children’s activity areas ($5 each; kids under 12 free).
n Sunday — Family Days, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($5 each; kids under 12 free).
