PORT ANGELES — The smell of hot glue and sounds of Christmas music filled the air at Vern Burton Community Center earlier this week, as more than 50 teams of designers toiled like Santa’s elves to decorate their creations for the three-day Festival of Trees that begins today.
The event, a major annual fundraiser for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Port Angeles Exchange Club, starts with tonight’s $95-a-plate dinner and tree auction, and continues with public events and tree viewing all weekend at the center at 308 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
While the crews have just one day to assemble their elaborate creations, the planning can start years in advance.
Tree Designer Committee Co-chairwomen Susan Parr and Sherry Phillips both said they have boxes and boxes full of tree decorations, reserved for future festivals.
Parr, owner of Susan Parr Travel, said she has been collecting items for this year’s tree for five years.
I’ve always wanted to do an American-traditional-themed tree, but I had to find the decorations,” she said.
Wherever she travels she keeps an eye out for decorations.
Finally, after five years, she and her co-designer Bobbi Breithaupf were ready, and this year they are offering “Americana,” stuffed with country-style American flags and decorations. There’s even an Uncle Sam doll tucked into the branches.
Phillips admitted to having a garden shed-turned Santa’s storehouse, dedicated to warehousing decorations for future trees.
She started planning this year’s tree, “Santa’s Sweets,” several years ago. Giant candy canes, sweet treats and stuffed Santa’s adorn the 6-foot tree.
Both women have been involved in the Festival of Trees for 14 years. For Parr, it was a bittersweet beginning.
Honored friend
In 1997 her employee and friend, Michelle Flodstrom, was involved in the event, but died suddenly two months before she could decorate a tree.
“So we did a tree in her honor,” Parr said. “Every year I think, if not for her I wouldn’t have done this.”
The Festival of Trees is in its 19th year, and is one of three annual fundraisers for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, said Executive Director Bruce Skinner.
“This event showcases the incredibly talented people from Sequim and Port Angeles here,” Skinner said.
“This is by far the best of the small city tree festivals, and stacks up to those in larger cities. It’s one of the best in the country.”
Each year the all-volunteer design crews are given $400 and a 6-foot tree, either completely flocked, partially flocked or natural green. Sponsors also kick in for decorating costs.
The trees are deep green, the product of a flame-retardant spray that they all receive.
The designers have one day to put turn their dreams into reality, creating wildly imaginative trees, which are then auctioned off at the kickoff dinner, but kept on display through Sunday.
Unlimited imagination
The trees range from whimsical to elegant, with unlimited creativity and imagination.
Designs this year include “Christmas Carousel,” sponsored by Key Bank and designed by Cindy Teitzel, with flying carousel horses and a lighted canopy; “Curious George Saves Christmas,” sponsored by Harry and Mary Hebert, designed by Holly Rockwell-Irwin, featuring everyone’s favorite monkey; and “Phantom of the Opera,” sponsored by D.S. Davidson and designed by Sarah Kauffman, a fully flocked tree elegantly done in black, gold, red, and of course, masks.
Skinner said the trees usually fetch $1,000 to $5,000 at the live auction, and the deal is sweetened with the addition of “premiums,” donations from local businesses.
The value of the premiums can hit $2,000, he said. They include trips, dining, parties and even a pig roast.
For example, “An Iridescent Christmas,” sponsored by Sequim Health and Rehabilitation and designed by Anna Porok, includes dinners and lunches at a variety of dining establishments, wine tasting, five dozen oysters and a $50 gift certificate from the Belmont Hotel in Port Townsend.
About 60 percent of the trees are purchased by individuals while the rest go to grace area businesses for the holidays, Skinner said.
And it’s all for a good cause.
Skinner said the Festival of Trees nets the nonprofit organization around $100,000, which is used to purchase equipment and supplies for Olympic Medical Center.
He pointed out that the dinner tonight will be prepared by chefs from the hospital and six area restaurants, who are donating their time.
With almost all of the food also donated, approximately 90 percent of the ticket price will go directly to the organization.
“It enables us to raise a lot more money,” he said.
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Features Editor Marcie Miller can be reached at 360-417-3550 or marcie.miller@peninsuladailynews.com