Annual Festival of the Trees is tonight at The Great Hall

The temperature outside Thursday afternoon was far from frightful, and it might even have been called delightful for a mid-November day. But inside The Great Hall, it was Santa’s workshop in action with Springfield Garden Club members putting the finishing touches on more than a dozen Christmas trees, which are the centerpiece of the annual Festival of the Trees.

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The Springfield Garden Club was hard at work this week setting up for the 24th Annual Festival of Trees coming up this Friday. The Garden Club invites all to the Great Hall, located at 100 River Street in Springfield, on Friday, November 18. The event begins at 6 p.m. with wine, cider and hors d’oeuvres, live music, silent auction and raffle baskets and beautiful floral creations. Music will be provided again this year by Gerry Grimo and the East Bay Jazz Band.



Dan O’Donnell has, once again, designed a lovely invitation around this year’s theme, which is “Let It Snow”. Invitations go out to those who have attended in years past, however, the event is open to the public.

“The Festival would not be possible without generous support from civic-minded businesses and individuals in the local area,” stated co-chair, Lee Soucy. “We call on businesses which provide varied and interesting items that are combined into gift baskets and put into the raffle drawing. Last year, there were twenty gift baskets raffled off during the night of the Festival.”

“The Garden Club is also blessed to have local businesses who give larger gifts which are put into the Silent Auction. These are things like artwork, jewelry, home heating oil, wood pellets, area rugs, gym memberships, golf discounts, ski lift tickets and more,” stated Carol Eramo, another co-chair.

“The Garden Club realizes how fortunate we are to have corporate sponsors who donate items and outright cash gifts in support of the Festival and our mission,” stated President, Deanna Dexter.” The club was awarded its official 501c3 status in 2015 and all donations are tax deductable to the extent allowable by law.

Workshops have begun, trimmings are being created and preparations are well underway for this year’s fundraising event. This evening is the sole means of fundraising for the Club and 100% of all proceeds go to support programs throughout the greater Springfield area. Bring a friend and a neighbor, dress up and enjoy an evening out. It’s a great time to get into the holiday spirit and maybe pick up a gift or two for someone special. Tickets are $35 per person, again this year and are available at the door. Prepaid tickets will also be at the door.

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