Fort Myers' December Art Walk to Include Festival of Trees

Dec. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Elaborately decorated Christmas trees might not be considered traditional “art,” but Art Walk visitors will get an opportunity to view 25 holiday trees in December.  The trees are on display as part of Goodwill’s 2010 Festival of Trees at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (2301 First Street, Fort Myers).

Held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m., Art Walk features local and national artwork in the downtown art galleries and several art stops in the Fort Myers River District.

The Festival of Trees (http://www.tuxandtrees.com) is the signature event of the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.  Last year, more than 4,000 people visited the holiday display, and Goodwill hopes that the Art Walk will expose their event to a new group of people.

“The last three years, we’ve held our Tux & Trees Gala on the night of Art Walk,” says Carolyn Johnson, Goodwill’s Vice President of Communications and Development.  “This year, we’ve moved the date of the Gala so that we could be a part of the River District’s Friday night activities.”  

The Southwest Florida Handbell Ensemble will perform at the Festival during Art Walk on December 3.

The Festival, which opened on Friday, November 26, is a week-long celebration which includes entertainment, children’s activities, and more.  The opening weekend featured a performance by "Spirit of the Gulf," one of the world's top women's choruses.

The Festival wraps up with the “Tux & Trees Gala,” a live auction where guests can bid on each of the trees.  The black-tie fundraiser supports the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.  This year’s Gala will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4.

In just three years, the Festival of Trees and the Tux & Trees Gala have raised more than $150,000 to support Goodwill’s programs and services.

For Festival of Trees information, including dates, times, and tickets to the Tux & Trees Gala, visit http://www.tuxandtrees.com or call (239) 995-2106 ext. 249.

View the 2010 Festival of Trees commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EXrVkxb_5M



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The Festival of Trees and Tux &Trees Gala are held annually in the Fort Myers River District, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. The events are signature fundraisers of the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.