MCHENRY — The exhibit hall at the Garrett County fairgrounds will be transformed into a winter wonderland this weekend for the fifth annual Festival of Trees.
This transformation will include activities for all ages and an opportunity to support the important work of the Dove Center. The Dove Center was founded more than 20 years ago and offers assistance and safe haven for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
“The Festival of Trees has become the signature fundraiser for the Dove Center and it is critical to the ongoing support we offer,” said Sherry Bradshaw, event co-chair and Dove Center board member.
The Dove Center, of Garrett County, serves more than 525 victims of domestic abuse each year. This care and support requires considerable funding and volunteers. Realizing the importance of offering these individuals a temporary safe haven and the effort needed to persevere, organizers have created a holiday event that celebrates the season with emphasis on the joy of safe families.
The Festival of Trees was created five years ago under the guidance of Pam Trickett. Area businesses, organizations and residents were invited to decorate Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces and gingerbread houses that were auctioned at the conclusion of the event. Since that first year, the event has evolved so much so that it is now held at the fairgrounds to accommodate more displays, activities and the hundreds of people who attend the two-day event on Friday and Saturday.
“Domestic abuse continues to be a serious problem for women and children and men in Garrett County. The Festival of Trees makes it possible for Garrett County to offer the support and services needed to help those families on the path to happiness and safety,” Bradshaw said.
Event co-chair Judy Finkel said the Festival of Trees will include decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces created by area businesses and organizations as well as children’s activities, craft vendors and local entertainment.
“The children’s activities will include Frosty’s Funland, Santa’s Bakery, with cookie decorating and the Elfenheim Mall, a place where children can buy gifts for their families for just one dollar,” Finkel said.
Breakfast with Santa will be offered both days and will include a full pancake breakfast, a gift and a photo with Santa in his sleigh. Reservations are not required but appreciated.
Silent auctions each day will feature donated items and one-of-a-kind pieces from area artists and vendors, including Lou DiCarlo, Lynn Atkins and Gary Yoder. The donated trees and displays will be offered during the live auction Saturday evening, the grand finale of the festival. An area business will offer free delivery of the decorated trees in the local area.
While this is a fun and festive event, volunteers never lose sight of their mission — supporting the good work of the Dove Center and its staff in their quest to help area families.
“We have such wonderful support from the community, from businesses, organizations and arists and from the people that come to the Festival of Trees. The community’s support is so important for us to be able to continue our work at the Dove Center,” Finkel said. “The Festival of Trees is something the whole family can enjoy together and represents our wish for every family to be happy and healthy.”
“Attending this event allows you to enjoy beautiful trees, lights and displays while raising funds to ensure the invaluable services of the Dove Center can continue,” Bradshaw said.
For more information on the Festival of Trees, visit www. fotgc.com. For more information on the services offered by the Dove Center, visit www. gcdovecenter.org.
Contact Angie Brant at abrant@ times-news.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Jean Bailey and Kris Yusko prepare their entry for Festival of Trees on behalf of GFWC Civic Club of Oakland.
-
Festival of Trees this weekend at Garrett County fairgrounds
Festival of Trees this weekend at Garrett County fairgrounds
Proceeds from fifth annual event benefit Dove Center
- Local News
-
-
Upcoming changes in Medicare could save older diabetics money
Medicare begins a major change next month that could save older diabetics money and time when they buy crucial supplies to test their blood sugar — but it also may cause some confusion as patients figure out the new system.
-
CSX sees rail use potential in sites, especially Barton Industrial Park
A CSX Transportation representative told a gathering of local economic development officials Wednesday that there are properties locally that may be attractive to rail use companies and recommended the Barton Industrial Park for consideration for marketing by the transportation giant.
-
Grate day on the job
-
Garrett County commissioners OK transportation plan
The Garrett County commissioners approved the county planning commission’s recommended priority list for nine projects, one of which is new, to the State of Maryland Consolidated Transportation 2014 Plan. The planning commission recommended that a new project, state Route 135/Sand Flat Road intersection, be added to the list for safety reasons, according to John Nelson, director of planning and land development.
-
Field training
-
Mineral County man third person sentenced in cocaine distribution
Charles Page Haines III, 51, was sentenced to 92 months’ imprisonment to be followed by six years of supervised release.
-
Russell Livengood, retired city fire chief, dies at 84
For more than four decades, Russell Livengood answered the call, actually thousands of calls, for the citizens of Cumberland as a member of the Cumberland Fire Department.
-
New $4M medical center to open in Meyersdale
A new state-of-the-art building for primary care physicians and specialists is expected to be opened at Conemaugh Health System’s Meyersdale Medical Center by the fall of 2014.
-
Garrett innovators
-
Three playing for all the marbles in New Jersey
Briana Brode had another near-perfect day and with 15 wins and only one loss is tied for first place in the girls division after preliminary play Wednesday at the National Marbles Tournament.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
