Festival of Trees tickets to go on sale Saturday (and go early for Teddy Bear Tea passes!)
Published 12:01 am Friday, October 31, 2014
PORT ANGELES — Come Saturday, the race will be on to get tickets to the Festival of Trees’ Teddy Bear Tea, the festival’s gala dinner and dance and other attractions scheduled during the three-day fundraiser Nov. 28-30.
The 24th annual Festival of Trees will benefit the Olympic Medical Center Foundation (which raises money for Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles and Sequim) and the Port Angeles Exchange Club.
Tickets to the Teddy Bear Teas, Festival of Trees Gala, Family Days Breakfast and Family Days will go on sale at 9 a.m. at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St.
“If people want to go to either of the Teddy Bear Teas or the gala, both of which are held on Friday [Nov. 28], we advise them to get their tickets as early as they can this Saturday,” said Bruce Skinner, executive director of the OMC Foundation.
“Often, the teas sell out in a little more than an hour,” he said.
Beginning Monday, tickets will be available only at the OMC Foundation office, 1015 Georgiana St., or by calling the office at 360-417-7144.
Decorated trees
The annual Festival of Trees features elaborately decorated Christmas trees and wreaths created by volunteer designers.
All events are held at the Vern Burton Community Center at 308 E. Fourth St.
Last year, 58 trees and some 50 wreaths were on display.
Each tree comes with a number of presents, ranging from trips to televisions and other premiums.
They will be auctioned off at the $95-per-person, winter-themed Festival of Trees Gala and Auction on Nov. 28.
The gala, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., offers a buffet meal, live music for dancing and a silent auction.
Before then, the first to see the Christmas wonderland will be the children and parents who enjoy the holiday refreshments, live entertainment and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Teddy Bear Teas at 10 a.m. and the other at noon.
At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, will be the Family Days Breakfast.
Family Days
Later that day and Sunday, the public can view the trees and wreaths and enjoy music and children’s activities during Family Days, when tickets are $5 per person.
Back this year will be the all-class Port Angeles High School reunion at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29.
Last year’s first reunion was such a success, it has become part of the annual festivities.
A basketball tournament precedes the reunion, with games played throughout the day at Port Angeles High featuring teams of alumni through the years.
The Festival of Trees raised $180,902 in revenue in 2013, with $95,928 spent on event costs.
The festival is expected to generate $184,200 this year, according to the foundation’s 2013 financial report.
Schedule, prices
Here are times of the events and the ticket prices:
■ 10 a.m. and noon Friday, Nov. 28 — Teddy Bear Tea for parents and children; sponsored by Swain’s Family Foundation; $10 each.
■ 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 — Festival of Trees gala with buffet dinner, tree auction, silent auction and dancing with live music; sponsored by Sequim Health and Rehabilitation; $95 each.
■ 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 — Family Days Breakfast, a sit-down meal sponsored by Avamere Rehabilitation of Sequim; $13 adults, $6 children, with limited tickets available at the door.
■ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29 and Sunday, Nov. 30 — Family Days, public viewing of decorated trees and wreaths, musical entertainers and children’s activity areas; $5 each, children younger than 8 free.
■ 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 — “Home for the Holidays,” an all-class Port Angeles High School reunion dance and auction; $15 for advance tickets, $20 at the door.
For more information, visit www.omhf.org or phone the foundation, 360-417-7144.
