FESTIVAL OF TREES - While many have already taken down the Christmas Tree and put away holiday decorations… some are still are celebrating the season by keeping the tree up until January 6th.. to observe the feast of the epiphany… which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. And our next story coincides with this holiday. Our East Texas reporter Wynter Chauvin files this report.
The Museum of East Texas, located in Lufkin is celebrating the 25th year of their Festival of Trees now until Jan. 6th. Imagine an indoor forest with thousands of twinkling lights, colorful ornaments and festive themes. Terra Fidone, originator and co-chairperson explains the beginning of the festival.
“It started 25 years ago, I had just come from Memphis where they started Festival of Trees. And I thought, what a great idea for our community because these Christmas trees are like pieces of art themselves," explained Fidone. "And the creativity is unbelievable. And we started out, the first year we had less than a dozen trees though. But now we have grown into almost 170.”
Lacy Luce, co-shairperson with Terra Fidone, describes some of the trees.
“We have everything from hunting trees, with antlers on it. We have kids trees, a grinch, a big bird this year,"said Luce. "We have just your traditional Christmas trees, you know greens and reds everywhere but also people do those fun, add those fun elements in of (example) animals and things like that.
There is one tree that is not your traditional pine according to Luce
“The (Lufkin) Zoo brought in their own palm tree, it is lit up and adorned with animals all around it.” Fidone interjects- “stuffed animals”. {Laughter).
The Festival of Trees is a free event open to all. Fidone explains:
“This is what makes this so special. It is our gift to the community. And it is free. The funds that we raise from all the businesses that sponsor these trees goes back to the museum in the form of art scholarships for art camps for our kids and adults as well as for special projects.”
The Festival of Trees opens each day at 10 am until 5 pm. Check the website for specific hours and events. The Festival of Trees will close on Jan.5. This is Wynter Chauvin with Red River Radio News.
Museum link: www.metlufkin.org
