Methuen Festival Of Trees Continues To Share The Holiday Spirit As It Celebrates Emerald Anniversary

BOSTON - Oct. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- MEDIA CONTACT:

Kim Lord Curtis

Tel: (978) 459-4399

Cell: (978) 852-7652

kimmiekreativeinc@comcast.net

FESTIVAL OF TREES CONTINUES TO SHARE THE HOLIDAY MAGIC AS IT CELEBRATES EMERALD ANNIVERSARY

METHUEN, MA (October 28, 2013) – The Festival of Trees, Inc. proudly announces its Emerald Anniversary Festival of Trees holiday event.  This milestone celebration will kick off with the Emerald Anniversary Taste of the Festival on Friday, November 22, 2013 with special guest, celebrity Chef Mary Ann Esposito of the famed PBS cooking series Ciao Italia, seen nationally and internationally.  This year the series celebrates its 25th Anniversary, making it the longest running cooking series in America.  She is the author of 12 cookbooks including the best selling Ciao Italia and her most recent book Ciao Italia Family Classics.  This culinary celebration, officially opening the 20^th Anniversary Festival of Trees, will showcase signature dishes from many local restaurants as well as the unveiling of more than 240 spectacular Christmas trees and wreaths.

“We are honored to have Chef Mary Ann Esposito as our special guest this year to help celebrate the Festival’s 20-year milestone,” said Sharon Pollard, President of the Festival of Trees.  “To have an internationally known chef of her caliber is sure to bring excitement to both the guests and participating restaurants.”

The Festival of Trees is the largest festival in New England and is the model and inspiration for many other festivals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Since it began in 1994, more than 1200 people, businesses and organizations have donated trees and 1500 volunteers have donated their time. The Festival of Trees attracts over 27,000 visitors annually from 14 states and over 380 communities who come to view 240 beautifully decorated trees and wreaths.

Over the past two decades, The Festival of Trees has grown to become one of the most visited holiday events in New England as well as the largest contributor to historic preservation throughout the Merrimack Valley and its surrounding communities. To date, the Festival of Trees has provided over $1.4 million in grants to fund over 140 preservation projects throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“It’s been very rewarding to see the incredible growth of the Festival over the last 19 years,” said Pollard.  “We are truly grateful to the many organizations, businesses and individuals that have contributed to our success through the years.”

The Festival of Trees will officially open on Saturday, November 23, 2013 and run through Saturday, December 7, 2013.  All 240 sparkling Christmas trees and wreaths, decked out in the most creative and imaginative themes, will be on display for 2 weeks and raffled off on the closing day of the festival.

The 20th Festival of Trees Schedule of Events

TASTE of the Festival
November 22, 2013 – 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased by calling 978-685-8878 or via email at www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com.

Emerald City Treasure Hunt – A community wide treasure hunt kicked off on September 1^st and will run through December 7^th.  The hunt leads you to historic sites, businesses, and our festival program book in search of numbered “emerald” medallions. Those players who collect and record all of the numbers correctly and turn their form in at the Festival of Trees will be entered into the Emerald Isle Grand Prize drawing – “Taste of Ireland” trip for 2. (Generously donated by AAA Southern New England).  To register and for more information, please go to www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com.  Entry fee is $10.00.

Festival Hours
Weekdays 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Weekends 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

November 27^th – Special Hours 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM


Closed Thanksgiving Day


November 29^th – 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

December 7^th – 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Admission
Weekdays – $8.00 for adults


Weekends – $10.00 for adults


Children 12 and under are always FREE!

Children’s Events – Sponsored by Macy’s
November 24^th –Pictures with Santa Claus 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

         Romper Rhythm Puppet Christmas Show 3:00 PM and 4:15 PM

November 29^th – Pictures with Santa Claus 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

         BJ Hickman Magic Show 3:00 PM and 4:15 PM

         Story Time with Mary Ann Fleming 6:30 PM

November 30^th – Pictures with Santa Claus 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

         Mad Science “Santa’s Secret Science Lab” Show 3:00 PM and 4:15 PM

December 1^st – Pictures with Santa Claus 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

         Kangaralien “Christmas Sing-Along” 3:00 PM and 4:15 PM

December 7^th – Pictures with Santa Claus 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

         Red Sox Mascot "Wally the Green Monster" Appearance 3:00 PM and 4:15 PM

Senior and Red Hat Member Days

November 23^rd –10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

November 24^th –10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

All Seniors and Red Hat members are FREE.

Raffle
Visitors have a chance to win one of the beautifully decorated Christmas trees to enjoy in their own home by purchasing raffle tickets and depositing them in their choice tree ticket containers. Tickets are $5.00 for 25 chances. Each visitor who purchases a sheet of raffle ticket will be entered into a special Emerald Raffle Grand Prize drawing for a chance to win a dazzling Emerald ring worth $2000, generously donated by Nazarian Jewelers.  Tree Raffle will take place on Saturday, December 7^th, after the Festival has closed for the evening. Calls to winners will begin the following day at approximately 9:00 AM.

Gift Shop & Café
Unique ornaments, holiday decorations and one-of-a-kind collectibles can be found at the festival gift shop located at the entrance. Visitors can enjoy snacks, soups, sandwiches, desserts and drinks at the café during festival hours.

Auction
The Festival of Trees online auction will open on November 1^st and will feature fun and unique items ranging from exotic vacation getaways and restaurants to autographed sports memorabilia. Simply visit www.biddingforgood.com/methuenfestivaloftrees.com to register and bid in this year’s auction.

The Festival is located at Valley Office Park at 13 Branch Street in Methuen (Exit 46 off Rt. 93 to Rt. 113).  For more information, please call (978) 685-8878 or visit www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com.