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RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Amber Sciacca looks for a spot to hang an ornament while decorating a tree for the Salvation Army’s 21st Annual Festival of Trees in Williamsport on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. Previously held at the Lycoming Mall, the trees are on display at 33 West Fourth St through December 8 when they will be sold in a live auction. The public can also vote for a favorite tree for a dollar with all proceeds from the votes and auction benefitting the Salvation Army.
Purple preservation and Victorian-era ornaments, a Philadelphia Eagles tree topper, lottery tickets, and traditional holiday decorations of flickering lights, snow and reindeer.
These were among the decorations on the trees at the 21st annual Salvation Army Festival of Trees kick-off and decorating event. During the kick-off, which took place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, the Sun-Gazette took time to walk around and ask the decorators what they liked about the festival and the holidays in general.
MOVED TO
WILLIAMSPORT
For 20 years, the Festival of Trees was held inside the former Lycoming Mall. With the closed building in Muncy Township under new ownership and different plans, the Festival of Trees is being displayed at 33 W. Third St., a large lobby in the county building that can be seen from the windows on the street and nearby Court Street.
From the friendly pooch sitting atop the Wolf’s Veterinarian Clinic tree, to the lottery tickets clipped on the Polish Club of Williamsport’s entry, this year’s Festival of Trees is not to be missed.
Asked about her favorite thing about the holiday as she placed decorations on the Sanders Mortuary tree, Pippy Kieser, 13, said it was “probably just spending time with my family.” Sanders Mortuary is at 821 Diamond St. The incentives are supportive of local businesses in the Newberry and Jaysburg sections of the West End of Williamsport.
It is a family tradition whereby Pippy has joined her parents over the past decade.
Today, Pippy stands about as tall as the tree she was adorning.
“This is the first year that it’s been in the county building West Third Street after it was at the former Lycoming Mall for about two decades,” said Laura Templeton, a spokeswoman for the Williamsport Corps of the Salvation Army at 457 Market St.
Templeton was on hand to greet the decorators, check on donations and offer instructions or answer questions to visitors.
This year’s Festival of Trees was approved to be relocated into the widely recognized and passed by building by the three commissioners, she said, and Ken George, manager of the maintenance crew for the county, has kept the lobby spotless.
“He said he would do whatever it takes to make this successful,” Templeton said.
The decorators were out in full force.
They decked the halls with blue and purple ornaments and regalia including tiny peacocks for the tree sponsored by McNerney Page Vanderlin & Hall Law Firm, 433 Market St.
It matched the theme of this year’s Williamsport Victorian Christmas, which was preservation and restoration, the decorators said.
Snow white reindeer decorations and a black and white Farmhouse themed tree drew the eye of those making it stand out for the sponsor – Trout Run Hotel. Decorators Jill and Lindsay, for the hotel, said it was their first year entering the Festival of Trees and they were giving gift cards and drink tokens away.
It was a very traditional flair with red stockings and red white silver gold colors for Dave’s Repair Service, 1840 Liberty Drive.
Across the room, the tree by Enerflex, an oil and gas company, had red pickup truck ornaments and The Salvation Army Thrift Store had the Philadelphia Eagles theme.
Williamsport Wine & Design’s tree featured small sawed off pieces of tree trunk ornaments, with one making those reading it smile — “Ho, ho, ho pour the merlot.”
Premier Real Estate Agency, 400 Market St. Chris Pardee and Marcie Benson gave their tree a traditional silver, red ribbon and reindeer lights with some gift certificates.
Jim’s Sporting Goods, Canton, decked their tree in red and black and Aquarius Pool and Patio’s tree also stood out with the bursts of snow, red ribbon, shimmering silver and a large Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Amber and Stephanie did their part to make it look stunning for the business at 170 Pine St.
“We are grateful to the County of Lycoming and Commissioners Scott Metzger, Tony Mussare and Rick Mirabito for permitting us to relocate this event to 33 W. Third St.,” Templeton reiterated. And while this Sun-Gazette story did not list or visit all of the tree entrees, there are a lot of days for visits to the Festival of Trees, now through Dec. 8.
Among the highlights this year, is a hand-made chair for Santa that the Williamsport Community Woodshop Factory Works – supporting veterans programs – at the Pajama Factory, 1307 Park Ave., built for the occasion, Templeton said. The chair and the Festival of Trees will provide backdrop for pictures with Santa this year, she said. Those dates and times will be determined, she said. The lobby is just across from Julie’s Cafe.
The three-week event and live auction – are made possible through the support of the commissioners, Roan Real Estate, Backyard Broadcasting and Big Lots – Muncy.
It is an opportunity for area businesses to promote themselves while also supporting the Salvation Army’s local programs and services, Templeton said.
For a $75 entry fee, the festival gives businesses a chance to showcase their incentives of their choice, such as gift cards, etc.
The location facing both West Third and Court streets, allows for trees to be displayed and be illuminated day and night, Templeton noted.
As a closer of the season, Roan will auction all trees and incentive packages starting 7 p.m. on Dec. 8. During the three weeks, the public can vote for their favorite tree by donating $1 per vote at the lobby.
The tree that earns the most votes will receive the “People’s Choice” award. The tree that raises the most money in total (including auction process) will receive the“Best of the Festival” award.
Award recipients will be announced via news releases and on social media a few days before Christmas and winners will be invited and recognized at The Salvation Army’s annual spring luncheon.
Over the past 20 years, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $350,000 to support The Salvation Army’s local food pantry, youth and senior programs, emergency disaster services, Red Shield Community Garden and more.
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