The tenth annual Festival of Trees at the Carnegie Library Museum begins its month-long run this week, and entrants have been busily erecting a record number of holiday marvels over the last few days.
“We have 52 displays!” said co-organizer Laura Stebbins of Perry. “Our previous record was 50 displays in 2019, our last Festival in the Carnegie pre-COVID-19. We came back with a respectable 33 in 2022, our first year back in the Carnegie post-COVID-19, and we grew to 40 in 2023. This year we blew by both our 2023 number and our previous record in 2019!”
A large number of visitors is expected before and after the Holiday Lighted Parade on Friday, Nov. 29 from 6-8 p.m., but visitors can also view the numerous themed Christmas trees and holiday decorations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
“We have a floating tree, several trees with ornaments handcrafted by talented Perry youth, a tree of deer antlers, an astrology tree, nativities, vintage items and so much more,” Stebbins said.
Among the festive trees, visitors will also find community activities, such as coloring for kids, scavenger hunts, a handmade quilt raffle, and a special time to welcome the Latino community to view the displays during the special Saturday Festival of Trees Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 14 from noon to 2:30 p.m. The annual quilt drawing will be held Dec. 14.
Admission to the Carnegie Library Museum Festival of Trees is free, and visitors can vote for their favorite trees or displays with tokens provided by the Carnegie Library Museum staff.
This year’s list of local tree decorators includes numerous individuals, businesses and civic and religious groups.
