FORKS — Nineteen decorated trees will be auctioned off to benefit a variety of Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest programs this weekend.
The 21st annual Festival of Trees will be at the Rainforest Art Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
The theme this year is Christmas Through the Decades.
The Festival of Trees is the main fundraiser for Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest programs.
“Last year, we made almost $20,000, a record, so we would like to replicate that,” said Cindy Mesenbrink, who handles publicity for the event.
On Saturday, the festival will offer an open house from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to allow people to stroll through the trees and look at more than a dozen decorated wreaths.
Visitors can vote for their favorites, feast on baked goods and enjoy live music, Mesenbrink said.
On Sunday, doors will open at 1 p.m. followed by the live auction at 2 p.m. All the trees and wreaths will go to the highest bidders, a process that usually takes two to three hours, Mesenbrink said.
Many of the trees have premiums — gifts that go with the decorated tree — such as a desert of the month, a river tour or a weekend at a cabin, she said.
Winning bidders in the area can have trees delivered.
“The high school boys’ basketball team helps us with packaging and delivery,” Mesenbrink said, adding that the Olympic Corrections Center honor camp helped set up trees.
Raffle tickets will be available for a specially decorated tree called Star Light, Star Bright and for several themed baskets. Each ticket will cost $1.
Cookies and coffee will be available by donation.
Proceeds will benefit Soroptimist’s charitable efforts, including scholarships, awards, Junior High Student of the Month, a mammogram fund, the SOS Cancer transportation fund and the Backpack program.
For more information, contact President Cathy Johnson at 360-374-9382 or siolympicrainforest@ soroptimist.org.
