Contributed by Mike Feazel, Lake Monticello News
Lake Monticello kicks off the Holiday season in a big way Dec. 3-4, with a Festival of Trees Dinner Dance Friday evening (6-9 p.m. at Ashlawn Clubhouse), the free Festival of Trees itself Saturday (9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ashlawn), and the Holiday Home Tour, 12:30-5 p.m. Saturday at five Lake homes.
The Festival of Trees itself on Saturday will include an opportunity to visit with Santa, holiday story readings by Mrs. Claus, and a display of 18 holiday trees beautifully decorated by local businesses and groups. Entrance is free, but masks will be required inside. The Festival of Trees is organized by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation.
Raffle tickets will be sold, with the winners taking home and keeping their favorite tree. Ticket purchasers deposit their tickets in boxes by their favorite trees, with the winners keeping the trees, many of which are decorated with valuable gifts, coupons and certificates. For example, the winner of Allied Concrete’s tree will get a backyard fire pit valued at more than $600.
Other trees are sponsored by: Thistle and Stag Meadery, Sweet Art Emporium, Long and Foster, Angell’s School of Dance, Rivanna Therapy Services, Happy Tails, Edward Jones, Lake Monticello Community Foundation, Fluvanna Women in Business, Salon De Shano, Lake Monticello Tuesday and Wednesday Art Groups, Broody Hen Bakery, Gifted Ladies, Herbert’s Wine Jelly and Lake Monticello Basket Weavers.
Tickets for the ever-popular Holiday Home Tour cost $10 pre-sale ($12 at the door) to visit five fully decorated Lake houses. Proceeds go to the Lake Monticello Beautification Corps. Advance sale tickets are available at the LMOA office. Tickets also are available Saturday at each home.
