Third Annual Festival of Trees

On November 27, when the lights go up on a host of Christmas trees, wreaths, wall hangings and a gingerbread village, it will be the culmination of a year's efforts for some very dedicated community volunteers who have been working behind the scenes to organize the third annual Festival of Trees.

The four-day event scheduled at Beban Park is "the biggest, most exciting Yuletide event ever staged on Vancouver Island" and it promises to be more beautiful than last year.

The Festival of Trees is a major fundraiser of the Malaspina Foundation for student scholarships and bursaries, computers, library books, and instructional equipment.

The Festival will feature a dazzling display of 40 elaborately decorated Christmas trees designed by local artists, designers and craftspeople. There will also be displays of room vignettes; wall, window and door decorations; tabletop tableaux; and ginger bread houses.

This year's children's entertainment specials include the Stegasaurus Chorus, Ian Johnstone, Ronald McDonald, and Joelle Rabu accompanied by a children's chorus.

Other entertainers lined up for the four-day event are the Bowen Senior Songsters, Bea McLeod Dancers, Nanaimo Brass Ensemble, Harbour Dance Centre, Anne Reid Dancers, Bastion City Cloggers, Nanaimo Youth Choir, Nanaimo Concert Band, and more.

In addition, the Festival of Trees will feature a number of special events. On Thursday evening the public can learn how to create seasonal centrepieces, unique gifts and home decoration ideas. A family night is planned for Friday, November 28; breakfast with Santa on Saturday; and a Teddy Bear Brunch complete with "bear doctor" is slated for Sunday.

For further information about the Festival, volunteering or advance tickets, please call the Festival office at 758-1343.