Presented by Friends of Hospice, the 40th annual Festival of Trees with the theme, ”Forty Years of Silver and Gold” runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 2 in downtown Easton. (Photo by Jenn Latham)
After experiencing the loss of a loved one who was an early patient of Talbot Hospice, Midge Fuller and her friend Leslie Ware began a crusade and spent a year organizing the very first Festival of Trees in 1985.
They traveled to Wilmington, N.C. to see firsthand how that city’s version operated and had the vision to hold one in Talbot County.
“It was just a whole new concept and it seemed like it would fit with this community,” Fuller said.
Now, 40 years later, the tradition of Festival of Trees remains rich with love and commitment to its benefactor, Talbot Hospice.
Presented by Friends of Hospice, the 40th annual Festival of Trees with the theme, ”Forty Years of Silver and Gold” runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2 in downtown Easton.
Reflecting on its early years, Ware and Fuller noted that on the Eastern Shore, hospice and palliative care was just starting to gain awareness.
So along with their planning efforts for the event, they made speaking appearances anywhere they could to get the word out about hospice and share why it needed support.
They recently recognized two community members, Morehead Vermilye and Dick Granville for sponsoring a tree in each of the festival’s 40 years.
They also credited their husbands and Sue Jackson with much help in getting the event off the ground.
“She believed in us and said, ‘Here’s your seed money,” Ware said of Jackson.
What may have been unfamiliar at first, soon gained momentum and a loyal following of volunteers and supporters to hold the immense, four-day fundraiser.
“It’s hospice and Christmas,” Fuller said. “Who wouldn’t want to get on board with that?”
On the success of their event year after year, other groups from towns near and far reached out asking for help in launch their own Festival of Trees. That prompted Ware and Fuller to build an operations manual, literally writing the book on The Festival of Trees. They gave input to groups starting festivals in Delaware, Rhode Island and western Maryland.
Fuller and Ware return as co-chairpersons with Karla Cherry for the 40th annual event but it’s in no way a swan song for the founders.
“No, we’re not done,” Leslie said. “We’re a good team. And it’s the community that keeps us going.”
In its four-decade span, the festival has raised more than $4 million to assist with Talbot Hospice’s operating budget.
Launching the festival has traditionally been the Preview Gala. This year it’s a black-tie affair, held on Friday, Nov. 28 at the Tidewater Inn’s Gold Room. From 6 to 8 p.m., guests will have the first opportunity to view the festival’s 100 decorated trees of varying sizes as well as a dozen elegantly decorated wreaths. A highlight of the evening is the opportunity to bid on a special tree decorated with exquisite Michael Aram ornaments.
“They’re magnificent. They’re all in silver and gold,” Fuller said of the ornaments.
The ballroom opens to the public for the festival from Saturday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 2.
Along with the 100 decorated and lit trees adorned in white, gold and silver, various live performances will entertain guests all four days.
Fuller and Ware said the tree decorators are just as dedicated as other volunteers. Some start in the summer gathering items and working on their designs.
“They really work so hard,” Fuller said. “The trees are so beautiful.”
Santa 5K Fun Run/Walk participants hit the pavement — many dressed with the holiday spirit in mind — on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. at Idlewild Park. On-site registration starts at 8 a.m. and advance sign-ups are available online at festival-of-trees.org.
At Santa’s Workshop, held on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Tidewater Inn’s Ballroom Garden, children will be greeted by Santa and may pose for photos, write a letter to Santa, enjoy Elf Story Time, compete at game stations, create an ornament or color at various craft stations and walk away with special tokens of the day. The workshop is free with admittance to the Festival of Trees.
Returing for its fourth year is Carols by Candlelight. Free to all on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m., families can sing along with choral groups, bell ringers and musicians on Harrison Street near the Avalon Theater. Visit with Santa on the grounds of The Bullitt House at the corner of Washington and Dover streets. Food trucks will be on site and holiday merchandise will be on sale.
The festival’s 12-foot poinsettia “tree” will again be on display during the festival in the Gold Ballroom. White poinsettias, sold in advance will adorn the tree and a memory scroll features the names who are honored this holiday season.
Keepsake luminaries honor a loved one. A limited number of the snow-white metal keepsake luminaries honoring a loved one will be sold online, then displayed in the Gold Ballroom.
In a joint statement, Ware and Fuller said, “As the founders of Friends of Hospice and the Festival of Trees, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for the support from our sponsors, decorators, chairmen, volunteers, and attendees for bringing this magical holiday event to our community every year.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit festival-of-trees.org.
