What is the Festival of Trees? Every year on the Monday before Thanksgiving the Ho-Chunk Center gets decked out with festive Christmas trees, wreaths, nativity scenes, and much more! It is free to the public,
What is the Festival of Trees?
Every year on the Monday before Thanksgiving the Ho-Chunk Center gets decked out with festive Christmas trees, wreaths, nativity scenes, and much more! It is free to the public, and a great way to get you ready for the holiday season.
This annual event brings the Siouxland community together to help support a local non-profit organization. Businesses from all over Sioux City and beyond create their chosen holiday item, decorate it however they want, and bring it down to the Ho-Chunk Center to be placed on display.
Silent Auction and Donations
An estimated price is placed on the value of their craft (i.e. the cost of supplies and resale price), and residents from all over come to place their bids. And it can get competitive! Finally, a silent auction is held the Thursday after Thanksgiving, and the winner goes home with some impressive handiwork.
What’s even better, is that all the proceeds go to help a local non-profit charity, organization or business. Last year it was the Mary Treglia House, this year it’s the Lila Mae’s House.
Get Decorating!
It’s a total win-win. The holiday displays are up all week, it’s free to the public to enjoy and take pictures, and you can support our community while getting motivated to decorate your own living room.
The bank I used to work for participated in the Festival of Trees. Two years in a row we made wreaths, and one year we made a small tree. I remember staying late after all the customers had left, 8 o’clock at night, enjoying Christmas cookies, cheese and crackers, and maybe a sangria, or two, with my coworkers.
The Possibilities are Endless
Some trees have beach themes, superhero figurines, football team colors, and cartoon ornaments. Some wreaths are bigger than others, and some businesses create an entire fireplace getup. Gift cards, monthly subscriptions, coupons, and even event tickets are hidden in certain displays.
How cool would it be to go home with your chosen decorations knowing you also have season passes to Bandits games, symphony tickets, and a massive booklet of coupon vouchers to all your favorite local businesses!
Plan your visit
I truly enjoy getting inspired seeing all the creativity, colors, and original ideas. The Festival of Trees will be up until December 4th, and then the silent auction is scheduled December 5th. So make time to visit the downtown Ho-Chunk Center before it’s gone!
Learn more about this event
You can always go on their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FoTSiouxCity/) to view pictures of all the contestants, or visit their website (https://scfestivaloftrees.wixsite.com/festival-of-trees) to learn more about the event and the non-profit being supported this year.
If you can’t make it this year, plan for next year’s. And remember, anyone can contribute, whether you decide to design a tree to donate, or bid at the silent auction. Either way, you’ll make memories while supporting Siouxland communities.