Lake Monticello Festival of Trees Will Benefit Five Local Charities

                Lake Monticello will launch the Christmas season at its first annual “Festival of Trees” Dec. 6 and 7 at the main Ashlawn clubhouse. In addition to visiting and taking pictures with Santa, listening to Christmas stories, enjoying free entertainment and viewing 20 trees specially-decorated by local businesses, attendees will be contributing to five local charities. The event is open to those inside and outside the Lake.

                “We see this as a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Alan Stewart, chairman of the Lake Communications & Marketing Committee, which is organizing the event. “It’s also a great way to support some wonderful charities in our community and have a good time for adults and kids.”

                The Festival will run 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Families will be able to take their own free pictures with Santa throughout the event. Mrs. Claus and others, including local high school students and teachers, will read Christmas stories to small groups. There will be decoration-making for children both days (pre-signup required and additional $5 fee). Children can decorate “Cookies with Santa” at 10 a.m. Saturday. And musical entertainment is scheduled throughout, provided by local music and choral groups, musicians and churches.

                In the “Festival of Trees” itself, local businesses and groups will sponsor and decorate 10 large and 10 tabletop one-of-a-kind trees. Attendees can view them, and buy raffle tickets which will be used both to vote for winning trees in three categories and for the chance to take their favorite decorated tree and the gifts under it home with them.

                Attendees will be asked to contribute an unwrapped new toy, food or cash for admission. All contributions, plus the proceeds from the raffle, will be divided among Caring for Creatures, Fluvanna SPCA, Peaceful Passings, Happy Faces, and the MACAA Food Bank.

                A preview dinner/dance for the Festival of Trees will be held Thursday, Dec. 5, at Lakeside Restaurant, with proceeds to go to the Lake Monticello Beautification Group. In addition to previewing the trees, the maximum of 100 attendees will enjoy a dinner provided by LMOA Food & Beverage and a cash bar. Entertainment will be provided by Sha-boom. Dinner tickets will be $35 per person. Tickets can be purchased at The Pub, at the LMOA office, or from Communications & Marketing Committee members.

                “We hope this will get people in the Christmas spirit early,” Stewart said. “This should be really special for the kids."