Festival of Trees Opens Friday

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nov. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- The Festival of Trees opens Friday, November 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for its seventh year.  The week-long Festival has become a holiday tradition for downtown Fort Myers and is the signature event of The Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation. The Festival runs thru December 6, with the Tux & Trees Gala being held on December 7.

The Festival showcases 26 lavishly decorated trees, designed by businesses and individuals in the community. This year’s Festival includes trees from Norris Home Furnishings, Fort Myers Harley-Davidson, Naples Soap Company, Costco, Waldorf Astoria Naples, and many more. Viewing the trees is free but, monetary donations are appreciated.

The Festival of Trees will feature a children’s workshop November 29 – December 1 that includes games, crafts, movies, and more. There will also be a Family Fun Day indoor/outdoor event on November 30 which will have performances from local dance troops, a brunch with Santa, the children’s workshop, and more. That evening, during the River District’s Holiday Stroll, the Beatles tribute band, the Nowhere Band, will perform outside the Art Center. Santa will be appearing at all three days of the Children’s Workshop from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Visit www.tuxandtrees.com for event prices and times.

The Tux & Trees Gala, on December 7, is the highlight of the week-long Festival of Trees celebration.  Gifts complete each beautiful tree and this year, Gala attendees will be bidding for gift certificates at area restaurants, trips, stay-cations, designer accessories, and more.

The evening will also feature a silent auction with decorated wreaths and other extravagant gift packages.  Guests can bid on items like a romantic stay at the historic ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island, a family fun trip to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, dining certificates and much more!

Last year, the Festival of Trees and Tux & Trees Gala raised $93,000 to support Goodwill’s mission of helping people in the Southwest Florida community by providing life-changing opportunities to employment and independence.

Tickets for the Tux & Trees gala are $100 per person and include entertainment, complimentary valet parking service and hors d’oeuvres.  Call (239) 995-2106 ext. 2213 or visit www.tuxandtrees.com to purchase tickets to the affair.

Goodwill’s Festival of Trees is proudly presented by FineMark National Bank & Trust. The Children’s Workshop is sponsored by East Coast Recycling Equipment. For Festival dates, times, and ticket information visit www.tuxandtrees.com.  For information about Goodwill’s programs and services visit www.goodwillswfl.org.