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For the last 20 years, non-profit organization in Collinsville have raised funds through an elegant event called the Festival of Trees. Most people outside of those organizations, however, probably do not know the event exists or think they cannot attend.
“Everyone thinks that this is an invitation-only event, but it’s not. Anyone can purchase a ticket and attend,” said this year’s Festival of Trees co-chair Matt Wyatt of TheBANK of Edwardsville.
Held annually on the first Wednesday of December at the Gateway Center, the evening includes complimentary beverages, heavy appetizers, live music, and a silent auction for decorated live trees, artificial trees, wreaths, centerpieces and tablescapes.
“This is the premiere event in Collinsville,” said festival co-chair Grant Koentz of FCB Bank. “It’s elegant, it’s classy, and it’s something that everyone looks forward to each year. It is the kick-off to the holiday season for a lot of people.”
Wyatt and Koentz are hoping to draw record numbers in attendance this year. The proceeds from the event go to two community programs for children: Tote Me Home, which provides tote bags of food to low-income children in the Unit 10 School District every week, and Collinsville Charities for Children, which provides shoes to low-income children. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will also go to the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce.
The 2014 Festival of Trees is from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Gateway Center. Single tickets to the Festival of Trees are $40 per person. Guests can also sponsor a live tree or other auction item for $100-$150. Contact the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce at 618-344-2884 to purchase tickets and for more information.
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