An annual tradition in Calvert County, the Calvert Hospice Festival of Trees is truly a post-Thanksgiving shopping event worth attending. Not only are you surrounded with the music and beauty of the holidays while shopping at a lovely arts and crafts fair, but your admission fees go towards Calvert Hospice. Yes, it is possible to shop and give at the same time.
We attended for the first time at the festival’s new location at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick. An entire room was filled with live music and over 60 Christmas trees all decorated differently. Both beautiful and inspiring, we left with great ideas for our own Christmas trees and some craft ideas for gifts.
That was just the trees. Another building had activities for kids including crafts and a visit with Santa. There were vendors selling food, and a huge quilt that was raffled off. The gingerbread house competition looked fun with so many creative designs from kids of all ages. It would be a great family event to participate in next year!
The big room was packed with vendors of both arts and crafts, gourmet foods, and other beautiful things including the knitted work of Finca Serena. Most vendors took credit cards and many could create customized products to make truly one of a kind gifts.
2013 was the 25th year of this festival that supports Calvert Hospice, a loving nonprofit group that cares for people that are ill or dying and their families. All the proceeds from the Festival of Trees remains in Calvert County and serves families here.
Attending is a lovely family friendly tradition that gives back to the community while making memories. Children will enjoy the trees, their visit with Santa, the inflatable photo ops out on the lawn, and may be even one of the sweet treats outside, Calvert Kettle Corn or Mrs. Moo’s ice cream.
Watch for next year’s dates. It’s an easy outing that can be really fun.
http://www.calverthospice.org/how-can-i-help/festival-of-trees