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'Festival of Trees' returns to downtown Springfield

Date: 11/29/2011

Nov. 30, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD — A regional holiday tradition continues this year at Tower Square in downtown Springfield. The Festival of Trees opened on Nov. 25 and will be on display through Dec. 11.

There are more than 100 fully decorated trees donated by businesses, organizations, families and local artists. Visitors will also be able to buy chances to win trees valued at hundreds of dollars; some with gift certificates and a variety of prizes. All trees will be raffled off at the festival’s conclusion — one winning ticket will be drawn for each tree. The winner may take the beautifully decorated tree home as well as all of the trimmings and prizes.

Some tree themes by this year’s sponsors are “The Springfield Global Community,” by Babson Capital, LLC, “Dashing Down the Lanes,” by AMF Airway Lanes, “Fueling the Spirit,” by L.E. Belcher and “The Triple Dog Dare You Tree,” donated by Peter Pan Bus Lines, just to name a few.

The club’s Executive Director Gerry McCarthy told Reminder Publications the festival is the biggest fundraiser the club presents and that it raised $60,000 last year. he hopes this year’s edition will bring in 10 to 15 percent more. The festival drew 9,000 visitors last year, he added.

In addition, the Springfield Boys & Girls Club is grateful to be able to announce that Babson Capital Management, LLC has come on board as the Festival’s first ever Gold Sponsor with a cash donation of $5,000.

Proceeds from the festival to benefit the Springfield Boys & Girls Club.

The festival will be open Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission tickets for the Festival of Trees are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and children younger than 12 are free.

Wednesday’s are Business Days during which there is free admission for downtown Springfield employees with a business card or company badge. Currently active military families are admitted free throughout the Festival. Tower Square is located at 1500 Main St. For information visit www.visittreefest.com or call 478-3050.



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