Woman’s Club’s Christmas Tree Festival and Auction is this weekend
The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club will host its second Christmas Tree Festival & Auction Dec. 13-14 at the Woman’s Club Clubhouse.
The two-day event is a fundraiser for nonprofits in the Fort Myers Beach area.
“Last year the Woman’s Club successfully helped to promote the island nonprofits,” said Mari Torgerson, who heads events for the Woman’s Club. “The inaugural Christmas Tree Festival raised over $5,000 for all the participating nonprofits who decorated a tree. The event was a way for the organizations to introduce their charity to our residents and to raise money for their specific cause. This year we have 20 fully decorated trees on auction.”
The Festival includes two days of silent bidding on custom Christmas trees decorated and donated by area organizations. Last year’s top tree went for $1,200 said Woman’s Club board member Dawn Thomas. The Woman’s Club also will handle delivery of the trees to the winning bidder’s home.
“We’re hoping we have a good turnout,” Thomas said. “It was a wonderful turnout last year.”
Friday’s event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will feature a preview of the trees as well as a visit from Santa, refreshments and snacks.
Saturday’s event, which runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., features a chili cook-off contest featuring local chefs. The festival is open to the public and free of charge. Chili tasting tickets are $5. The Woman’s Club asks that guests bring an unwrapped toy for the Beach Kids Foundation.
The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club is at 175 Sterling Ave.
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