By Kaija Martin, Correspondent
Image Credit: Jason Marsan
StarStruck Event Planning hosted the Fifth Annual Festival of Trees in Downtown Prescott at Sam Hill Warehouse and Hilton Garden Inn’s Event Center. The event kicked off on Nov. 16, 2022, with an adults-only Jingle Mingle Cocktail Party from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. From then on, the Festival of Trees had General Days from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19, 2022, that were open to anyone who wanted to enjoy the festive cheer.
The Festival of Trees website describes the event as “An annual holiday community event where local businesses come together to celebrate Prescott’s heritage as Arizona’s Christmas City.” Attendees had to pay a small admission fee, then they were able to enjoy the festivities that the event had to offer. Activities included Balloon Twisting, Dance Lessons, and Face Painting, all of which were provided by local businesses or community individuals.
The Festival had live music and ongoing raffles. The raffle prizes were also provided by local businesses and ranged from free massage sessions to free tickets to Bearizona Wildlife Park.
The event also had Christmas trees and wreaths purchased from local businesses that were decorated and auctioned off. Some of the businesses that had trees and/or wreaths were Findlay Subaru of Prescott, the Hilton Garden Inn, Founding Fathers, and ProVision. Each business had the choice to decorate its own trees and wreaths or have them professionally decorated. Decorations included a variety of themes and designs, turning the festival into a winter wonderland.
All auction proceeds went to Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS), a nonprofit that exists to serve women, children, and women veterans in the Prescott community. PASS provides temporary housing, resources, individual case management, and pathways to permanent housing.
Julie Pflueger, the Marketing Director for PASS, expressed: “We are so very excited we were selected to be the beneficiary for the Festival of Trees!”
During the festival, many children and families were able to enjoy hot cocoa, decorating Christmas ornaments, and picking up a phone to “leave a message for Santa.”
Patrinka Crammond and her husband, Louis Scafuri, attended this year’s Festival of Trees together. Crammond said, “We just started coming last year, and we just love it. We love looking at the Christmas Trees and it’s for a good cause.”
As Crammond was gazing at a decorated Christmas wreath, she said, “I would encourage everyone to come and take a look, it really starts getting you in that Christmas Spirit – just phenomenal displays.”
The Fifth Annual Festival of Trees was a prime example of a community and local businesses coming together. Various local businesses collaborated to support Prescott Area Shelter Services, and the proceeds will have a great impact on individuals in need.
