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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Festival of Trees raises money for scholarships
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
BELLE PLAINE — The Festival of Trees and bake sale in Belle Plaine showcases the artistic talents of area businesses, organizations and families through the trees they decorate each year.
All of the proceeds from the event pay for non-traditional scholarships.
Visitors to the festival can bring coins to vote on their favorite tree or trees. The three trees with the most votes receiving gift baskets. The top prize is valued at over $260, the second at over $170 and the third at over $100.
Visitors can also bid on select trees and gift baskets.
“Some people buy trees or baskets for themselves, and some buy them to use all or parts as gifts. Others just come for the bake sale. And still others just come to see the trees and visit,” says Wendi Winkie from the Wallace and Beverly Winkie Foundation, sponsor of the festival.
Visitors get a chance at one of the many door prizes and can enjoy free coffee or hot apple cider or German Kinderpunsch. Admission is free.
The event coincides with Belle Plaine’s Holiday Homecoming and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29. The Festival of Trees can be seen at Hope Lodge 175, 805 11th Street in Belle Plaine, from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.
New this year will be a pre-holiday bake sale Wednesday, Nov. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Masonic Hall. More information is available on the foundation’s website and Facebook page.
