Santa and Mrs. Claus have put Winnemucca on their pre-Christmas public appearance schedule. They will be here for the Festival of Trees events on both Fri. Nov. 24 and Sat. Nov. 25.
The theme for this year’s Festival of Trees is “Christmas Around the World,” which should inspire some amazing tree decorations. Everyone who comes to Festival of Trees will enjoy the viewing, voting and the chance to participate in the silent auction in the hope of going home with the tree they like best.
On Friday starting at 2 p.m. at the East Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center, Mrs. Claus is inviting area children to join her at her Winnemucca Christmas tea.
This year, Subway donated roll-up sandwiches that will be served at Tea with Mrs. Claus and Pizza Hut is sweetening up the event with their Cinn-a-stix . Tea with Mrs. Claus costs $10 per participant. Proceeds will go to support Lions Club charitable events.
The Festival of Trees is open to the public on Friday starting at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m. there’s a new event planned called “Santa Paws” that will offer pet moms and dads a chance to have their pet family member’s photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Pets can dress up for the event. If they do, they may win the people’s choice award for the “most Christmassey pet.”
On Saturday, Nov. 25, the Festival of Trees opens at 8 a.m. with a “Jammies Pancake Breakfast” with Santa. Kids can enjoy breakfast in comfort in their pajamas. Model T is providing pancakes and sausage for the event.
The Festival of Trees is something many area folks look forward to all year long. Local businesses and organizations donate to the event and work to make it memorable. The Winnemucca Host Lions Club puts the event together each year.
In addition to the other donations noted, Winner’s Hotel and Casino is donating punch and cookies throughout the Festival. Party Time is doing the decorations for the area where Mr. and Mrs. Claus are taking pictures with participants.
This year’s Festival of Trees is offering an opportunity for people to donate arts and crafts related to Christmas or Winnemucca to be silent-auctioned at the event to benefit Lions Club charitable causes. The silent auction that will determine the owners of the beautiful trees at the festival will end at 4 p.m. on Saturday and winners can pick up their Christmas tree at 5 p.m.
