Cheyenne, Wyoming: The 8th Annual Festival of Trees will be held November 19-20 at the Old West Museum. The event is organized by a local disability advocacy group for employment called the Business Leadership Network It’s to be a fundraiser held on behalf of its MentorAbility Youth Career Development Program. All the proceeds (after expenses) are going to help students and adults with disabilities transition into employment. One night will be for families inclusive, while the closing night of this Festival of Trees will feature a local musical group for entertainment, Christmas-themed auction items, and more.

The Festival of Trees in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Feature Expensively-Decorated Christmas Trees

For this local disability employment empowerment organization, the happening is the biggest fundraiser of the year. Lewis commented, “We rely upon grants, donations, sponsorships, in-kind donations and the Festival of Trees to raise money for our MentorAbility career development and other programs.” $20 raffle tickets will be available for a chance at one of the decorated Christmas trees, the prime focus of the fundraiser with an expected turnout of 150-200. Decorated six to seven foot Christmas trees cost $300-$500 to purchase and decorate, according to Marla Lewis, the Director of the organization.

On Friday night November 19, from 6 pm to 8 pm, the Family Night part of the Festival of Trees will take place. It’s when the raffle winner will be announced, with the prize having to be claimed by noon the next day. 200 tickets will be sold, costing $20 for one or $100 for six. “Santa and Mrs. Claus” will be on hand, and attendees vote and can take pictures of their favorite decorated Christmas trees and wreaths. A cake walk and refreshments are planned. Admission is as follows: Adults $5, kids $3, and a family is $15.

Gala Night is the next evening, which is scheduled to take place from 6pm to midnight. The Christmas trees (minus one picked by the winner) plus the wreaths will be auctioned off/sold. The catered event will feature a theme of “Taste of the Holiday”, and the local band Seven Sundays is to perform classic hits from the 1960s to the 1980s for the Festival of Trees dance. The Gala is $50 per person and $500 for a table of eight. Tickets can be bought at the Chamber of Commerce. Advance reservations are required for this Cheyenne, Wyoming event.

Lewis further commented on the Festival of Trees and the available items for sale/bidding, “I don’t have the complete list of trees yet from the designers, but many of them also include items such as wine, sporting goods, or toys that are included with the cost of the tree. Many of these items have been donated by merchants around Cheyenne. However, we also have some Ultimate Gift Packages that will be for sale. One of these includes two airline tickets from American Airline/American Eagle, and two from Great Lakes Airlines. We pair them with other items to make a great gift for your self or someone else! People are always looking for something new that they can purchase, and trips are always a favorite for our guests.”

For more information about the Festival of Trees in Cheyenne, Wyoming, go to this Business Leadership Network link here or call Marla Lewis at 307-631-8012 or email wbln@vcn.com

Sources:

Emails between Roy A. Barnes and Marla Lewis, November 2, 2010

Online Invitation, 8th Annual Festival of Trees, November 1, 2010, Business Leadership Network