Need inspiration for decorating your Christmas tree? Want to support your favorite tree decorator? Need to get into the Christmas spirit? And would you like it to be free?
Then come see the 50 decorated trees at the 8th annual The Arc of Rowan Festival of Trees on December 2-4 at the F&M Trolley Barn.
“I look forward to seeing the creativity and talent of the various decorators,” said Wanda Jones, who attends the event each year. “The Cat in the Hat tree was my favorite last year.”
Every tree has a story. How did one tree decorator decide to create a “Merry-Go-Round Christmas” tree?
“I was inspired by another decorator who shaped a tree into a snowman the previous year,” said Glenn Dixon, the festival’s chairman and a tree decorator himself. “Once inspired and with a rotating tree stand in hand, the rest was easy.” Another tree, headed for display after the Festival at Rowan Helping Ministries, was covered with socks as a donation. Still another tree was decorated with food items also a donation. Traditionally decorated trees are also on display, as well as those decorated by various school classes.
There is something for everyone at the Festival of Trees. The community is invited to come and vote for their favorite trees.
Admission is free, thanks to the generosity of the tree sponsors. Donations will be accepted.
“Seeing the Festival of Trees each year is wonderful,” says Jane Jackman, the Arc’s executive director. “The event has grown and changed from year to year. What a joy to see so many trees that are always so special… Each tree has a sponsor, a decorator and is uniquely different.
“Lots of love and time goes into each tree. I especially like to view the trees after dark,” Jackman added. “It is spectacular.”
Festival hours are 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
The Arc of Rowan is a Rowan County United Way Agency that provides support and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). For more information about The Festival of Trees or The Arc of Rowan, call 704-627-1521 or go to www.thearcofrowan.org.