Festival of Trees shines in Port Angeles; final day today
Published 12:01 am Sunday, December 1, 2013
PORT ANGELES — Today is the last day to see the glittering decorated trees that were auctioned Friday night during the Festival of Trees gala before they go off to their new homes.
Auctions and raffles at the Festival of Trees Gala and Auction brought in $90,630 for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Port Angeles Exchange Club, said Bruce Skinner, executive director of the OMC Foundation.
That amount doesn’t include sponsorship and ticket sales.
The gala sold out, he said. It was attended by 412 people.
“This is one of the better years,” Skinner said.
The tree that brought the highest auction bid was “A MacKenzie Child’s-Inspired Christmas,” which brought in $5,500.
Highest bid
The tree — No. 16 in the Festival of Trees booklet — was designed by Kathy Skinner with the help of Pat Elmer and sponsored by Irwin Dental Health Center.
The second-highest auction bid was for “Owl Be Home for Christmas,” which drew $5,250.
The tree, which is No. 8 in the booklet, was designed by April Sewell with the help of Kelly Trudoe and Sheena Touchard, and sponsored by Park View Villas.
“Winter Wonderland,” No. 26, had the third-highest bid with $5,000.
The tree was designed by Zeller Westabrook with the help of Judy Monroe, Ron Bradshaw, Aletha Lane and Zumi Chawner, and was sponsored by the Peninsula Daily News.
Fourth was “Christmas in the Northwest,” No. 11, which brought in $4,500.
The tree was designed by Lorene Seelye with the help of Janet McGee and was sponsored by Dennis L. Wilcox, DVM, and Kathleen Graf.
Today, the 58 holiday trees and some 50 decorated wreaths will continue to be displayed at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles, during the second and final day of Family Days activities.
Trees on display today
For $5 admission — children younger than 8 admitted free — visitors can see the trees decorated by volunteers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy musical entertainment, a puppet show, crafts, games and photos with Santa, as well as a raffle.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual event is a three-day fundraiser that began Friday.
Each of the elegantly decorated trees came with a wealth of presents, or premiums.
During the day Saturday, an All-Class Port Angeles High School Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament was put on at the high school gym at 304 E. Park Ave.
That evening, a Port Angeles High School all-class reunion was held at the community center.
