By Monty Siekerman
Santa drew a large crowd to the opening of the Festival of Trees on Sunday afternoon at Community Health Professionals.
MORE PHOTOS BELOW -
In addition to youngsters telling Santa their wishes, the afternoon event included:
• kids buying gifts for family and friends for $1 and learning how to wrap them, even making their own Christmas cards.
• the beginning of a week-long silent auction.
• a $5 grab and go table of holiday decorations.
* free food, an extensive array of main dishes and desserts.
Deb Curlis, organizer of the affair, said the opening of the Festival of Trees saw the largest crowd ever, and people of all ages were happy and smiling.
Proceeds benefit home health and hospice patient care provided by Community Health Professionals, a nonprofit organization.
Sundays events were only the beginning of the 19th annual Festival.
• There is a holiday cookie contest at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
• Christmas bingo at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
• Kids story time and crafts from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday.
• A spaghetti luncheon from 11-2 on Thursday.
• A pizza party at 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Silent auction bids will close at 6 p.m. on Friday. Items may be picked up between 6-8 p.m. Final pickup of winning bids items will be 9-noon on Saturday.
Those interested in bidding on the holiday/winter items may do so between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. this week at CHP, 1200 S. Main.
PHOTO IDS:
• "Here's how you do it, think you've got it." Wrapping presents with thin paper and sticky tape isn't the easiest thing in the world to do, but the children gave it their all. Putting the stickers on was the most fun for many.
• Dalton Leeper, 6, is glad to tell Santa his Christmas wish list while an elf stands by to hand him some goodies right away. Dalton is the son of Carlena and Jason Leeper.
• Tom and Shirley Cassell view wreaths on the grab-and-go table.
• Guests chose lunch from a large spread of food that was available.
• "Let's see, what what do I want to buy?" Children could purchase Christmas items for only a buck. An elf helps out. The large table of $1 items emptied quickly because many people attended the Festival of Trees opening at CHP.
• Those attending the Festival of Trees opening viewed 34 items up for silent auction.
• Children learn to wrap presents, no easy task, and make Christmas cards.
