Visitors to Liberty Hall this week will be transported to a Christmas wonderland.
People browse through the more than 50 Christmas trees that are on display at Liberty Hall, 642 Mass., during the 18th annual Festival of Trees. The trees will be auctioned at 8 tonight as a fund-raiser for The Shelter Inc and will be displayed through Thursday.
More than 50 decorated Christmas trees went on display Monday in the hall, 642 Mass., marking the start of the annual Festival of Trees. The trees will be auctioned tonight during a benefit for The Shelter Inc., a nonprofit organization offering a variety of emergency services for Lawrence-area children.
Shelter director Judy Culley said she felt fortunate the festival, in its 18th year, had become more than just a fund-raiser.
"For some people it is an auction and a party. We feel really good that it is a big community event," she said. "I think that is why it has existed this long. It is something the community has embraced as the start of the Christmas season."
The decorated displays impressed visitors who stopped by Monday afternoon.
"They are quite creative," said Rick Washburn, Lawrence, as he wandered among the trees.
Community organizations, businesses and families donated trees for the event. Decorations were varied and not all were traditional. Trees were adorned with metal cookie cutters, bright red women's hats, and cards with "words to live by" on them.
Thomas Prosser, 2, looks at a Christmas tree and a reindeer made of lights with his mother Liz Prosser, Lawrence.
The City of Lawrence donated one of the larger trees and decorated it with a sesquicentennial theme in honor of this year's celebration, including miniature photographs of the city's history.
"I'm honestly amazed how creative people are and how they always manage to come up with something different," Culley said.
Jana White and her children were among those at the hall Monday afternoon.
The tree that caught their attention was Reef of Fantasy, donated by the H20 Club. The tree was decorated with seashells and ceramic fish and topped with a mermaid.
In addition to the tree auction, handmade clay ornaments created by featured artist Jan Gaumnitz will be sold throughout the festival.
Ceramic artist spreads wings to create new ornaments (11-28-04)The Shelter also uses the festival to present the Unsung Hero Award to individuals or groups who have made a special effort to help children. This year's award goes to Paulette Schwerdt and Kevin Howard and their children -- Mason, Matt and Janee -- who gave up exchanging gifts on Christmas in order to help others.
| The trees can be viewed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; admission is $2 for adults and children get in free. The trees will be auctioned at 8 p.m. today. Admission to the auction is $25 at the door. They will again be on display from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. |
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