In its 25th year, Calvert County’s popular Christmas Season event, Festival of Trees, has a new venue. The festival officially opened Friday, Nov. 29 at St. John Vianney, Prince Frederick. The church campus’ two ancillary buildings—the Vianney Room and the Family Life Center—were utilized for the Yuletide showcase.
Proceeds from the Festival of Trees will benefit Calvert Hospice. In addition to its services to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families and bereavement services, the organization operates the Burnett Calvert Hospice House.
The volunteers include over 80 individuals, three families, 10 couples and over a dozen groups.
Over 60 vendors were on site, providing fest-goers with a chance to do their Christmas shopping.
Nearly 60 trees, sponsored by businesses, local agencies, organizations and families were on display in the Vianney Room. The decorated trees are 4-1/2 feet to 7-1/2 feet tall.
Additionally, almost 100 poinsettias, each dedicated to departed loved ones.
The theme of this year’s Festival of Trees was “Silver Traditions—Golden Memories.” The opening ceremony highlights included Calvert Hospice Executive Director Brenda Laughhunn presenting a commemorative plaque to Grace Sturdivant, one of the founders of the Festival of Trees. Sturdivant joined Laughhunn and hospice board members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Father Peter Daly, pastor of St. John Vianney, offered a welcome on behalf of the parish and the invocation during the Service of Remembrance. Songs during the service were performed by the Chesapeake Community Chorus. The festival runs through Sunday, Dec. 1.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
