Planning for Festival of Trees celebration in full festive gear

The trees are displayed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 & 7, at Studley's Flower Gardens. (Courtesy photo/Rochester Main Street)

ROCHESTER - The public is invited to attend Rochester Main Street's fourth annual Festival of Trees event on Dec. 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 3-7 p.m.

This fund-raising event gives guests the opportunity to win fully decorated holiday trees and prizes. It is held at Studley's Flower Gardens at 82 Wakefield St. in Rochester.

This holiday themed event offers the public an opportunity to win dozens of wonderfully decorated trees and wreaths, donated by area businesses and organizations. The trees often include valuable gifts in addition to beautiful decorations. This year also features Premium Trees with total values over $500.

"Premium Trees were a new addition last year," explained Angela Mills, Executive Director of Rochester Main Street. "They were a great asset and helped enhance the excitement of the event."

Friday's portion follows the downtown tree lighting at Central Square and includes live music and refreshments. Friday's guests can be among the first to view the gorgeous trees while getting the first chance to enter raffles.

Saturday's portion also includes live music and refreshments and includes a visit from Santa from 5-7 p.m. Adults are welcome to enjoy adult beverages as they stroll through the beautiful scene.

"Festival of Trees is one segment of a festive and collaborative downtown weekend," noted Mills. Main Street partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to hold Friday's Festival after the Chamber's tree lighting by Central Square.

Additionally, Main Street is supporting downtown restaurants and lounges by offering Festival raffle tickets to the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl participants and serving a final destination of the crawl.

"We welcome the Ugly Sweater wearers to visit the Festival of Trees and enjoy some tasty treats while admiring the trees," said.

Admission to the Festival is just $5 each day and includes five raffle tickets for the drawings. Children enter free. Additional raffle tickets are also available for purchase to increase chances of winning.

All drawings are pulled Saturday at 7 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win. If not present, winners will receive a phone call and must respond. Winners can collect the winnings after the event concludes Saturday or on Sunday, December 8th during the hours 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Unclaimed trees and gifts by 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, will be forfeited.

Guests can vote for their favorite trees in categories of "Best Dressed" and "Most Creative."

This event is made possible by the generous support of premier sponsor Xfinity and location sponsor Studley's Flower Gardens.

Volunteer support is welcome at this event. Contact the Rochester Main Street office to be involved.
If any business or organization would like to decorate a tree this year, contact the Rochester Main Street office at 603-330-3208 or director@rochestermainstreet.org.

Proceeds from Festival of Trees benefit the downtown Rochester district through Rochester Main Street. Rochester Main Street is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic and visual enhancement of downtown Rochester.