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Date: 11/13/2023
PALMER — The Palmer Historical and Cultural Center is accepting donations for its 11th annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Festival until Nov. 25, the organization recently announced.
The PHCC is seeking artificial trees and wreaths of any size to raffle at the event. Trees and wreaths can either be decorated by the donor or by the PHCC staff and can feature any theme. Monetary donations can also be made and will be used for purchasing a tree to raffle, PHCC President Robert Haveles explained.
The Christmas Tree and Wreath Festival will take place on Dec. 1 from 4-7:30 p.m. as well as Dec. 2-3 and 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Harmony Hall at 2072 Main St. Upon arriving, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets sold for $1 each or ten tickets for $5, according to the PHCC website. Tickets can then be used toward each tree’s raffle.
In addition to the tree raffle, the event will feature live music and a toy drive from the Palmer Lions Club to support local residents in need. Each unopened, new toy that is donated can be exchanged for a raffle ticket, Haveles said. He also noted that there will be activities for children downstairs in the Villages Room including decorating cookies, coloring and writing letters to Santa.
Visitors can also purchase and decorate a ceramic ornament for the “Loved One Tree” to celebrate a special person that cannot be with them at the festival, Haveles stated. After the one-time purchase, every ornament will be hung on the Loved One Tree each year.
Money raised at the festival will help support the organization’s other programs, such as live performances and history lectures, Haveles explained, highlighting the organization’s “mission to keep history alive.” As a volunteer-run organization, fundraisers like the tree festival are vital to the PHCC’s continued community support, he said.
While the event will support Palmer organizations, Haveles emphasized that the festival was free and open to the public. “We consider ourselves a regional center,” he stated, saying that they have received visitors from across New England in past years, ranging from Plymouth to New Hampshire.
For more information about the event or donating a tree, contact Palmer Historical and Cultural Center by email at palmerhcc@gmail.com or by phone at 413-289-9295.