The annual Festival of Trees has spread festive cheer for nearly a week, but unlike previous shows, you haven’t missed out just yet.
In response to comments that a week wasn’t long enough, the 5th annual Festival of Trees is lasting over two weeks and showcases around 50 trees. The Schenectady County Historical Society and the Schenectady YWCA host the annual holiday event, which features Christmas trees prepared by local business and community groups on display at the Historical Society’s headquarters and the YWCA.
Both locations are a snowball throw from each other on Washington Avenue in Schenectady. The event kicked off on Friday, Nov. 25, and there are daily showings until Sunday, Dec. 11.
“We have had others comment over the years that it is really too short, so having it over two weeks is really nice,” said JoAnne Rafalik, director of development and communications at the YWCA.
Local businesses and community groups are given free rein to create whatever kind of holiday tree they imagine. Sometimes a tree will have a certain theme relating the group and trees are often decorated in ways you wouldn’t normally see in someone’s living room.
Ryan Mahoney, curator for the Historical Society, said the event allows businesses to connect with residents in a different way. He added it brings new people into the society’s building.
“Businesses get to promote themselves on the ways they decorate the trees. It is a great relationship with the community and local businesses,” said Mahoney. “We get a great attendance, which is awesome because you get a whole different type of crowd coming to the society that wouldn’t normally come here.”
Rafalik said the event brings some people into the YWCA for the first time. She noted the building has been in Schenectady since 1933.
“It always amazes me how many people haven’t been in the building. It is really a neat building to explore,” she said. “As they look around they will ask questions about the different programs we have.”
A similar event was previously hosted at Proctors, but once the event stopped at that location the Historical Society and YWCA came together to continue hosting the event.
“It is a wonderful tradition and it gets people in the holiday spirit,” said Rafalik. “There is always that feeling that maybe people are learning something new about the Schenectady community, which is always so important.”
She added the trees at the YWCA are mostly from businesses and organizations while the society showcases some older ornaments and historical items relating to Schenectady.
“We have one tree from a group at Draper Middle School that is made from all recycled material,” she said. “We have another tree from Schenectady Day Nursery that has wonderfully smelling little gingerbread boys and girls on it.”
When looking closely at Draper’s tree, she said the little details on the student’s handmade ornaments show how things were recycled.
“The ornaments are terrific … the kids did a good job with it,” she said.
There are also trees that are being raffled off and the Historical Society is selling delft ornaments, which are traditional Dutch-style ornaments originating out of the delft community.
“There is a lot of work involved, but it is just something fun to be able to do,” said Mahoney.
An additional event is being held during the showing hours on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m., with bell ringers from the First Reformed Church of Scotia performing at the Historical Society.
“They play Christmas music but people performing only use hand bells,” said Mahoney. “It is really pretty and they do a great job with it.”
The admission fee for the Festival of Trees, which includes the displays at both buildings, is $5 for adults and $2 for children 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 years old and younger are free. The proceeds are split evenly between the Historical Society and the YWCA.
Display hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., with the event ending on Sunday, Dec. 11. For information on the event visit the Historical Society’s website at www.schist.org.