Now a 23-year tradition, the Festival of Trees features more than 100 trees that have been festively festooned by local artists, businesses and anyone else in the community with an eye for ornamentation and a commitment to raising funds for the Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens (UPARC). The funds raised from the sale of the trees, one-of-a-kind wreaths, centerpieces and other lavish decorations all benefit the UPARC.
The five-day event also features plenty of other enticements, including a lavish animated window display; a "Gingerbread Lane" of gingerbread houses created by local chefs; a "Sugar Plum Shoppe" of crafts; a Friday Night Extravaganza featuring a cash bar, live music and special surprises (7-9 p.m. Fri., Nov. 23) and a Santa's Breakfast for kids, which includes food, arts and crafts, and games (9-10:30 a.m. Sat., Nov. 24).
Festival of Trees, Nov. 21-25, noon-8 p.m. Wed., 2-8 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., $8 adults/$6 seniors/$4 children 3-16 (ages 2 and younger enter for free), Harborview Center 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater, treefest.com.
This article appears in Nov 14-20, 2007.
