by Ardeana Hamlin
of The Weekly Staff
BANGOR — Anah Shrine will host its annual Feztival of Trees, the title of the event a play on words to reference the headwear Shrine members wear to designate their membership in the organization.
But the event is not about the hats. It’s about the Christmas Trees. Here’s how it works: Organizations and businesses donate fully decorated artificial trees that will be displayed throughout the event. Members of the public are invited to view the trees and other displays. Attendees may purchase raffle tickets and the chance to win one of the trees and take it home. The cost of a raffle ticket is 50 cents. Admission to the event is $2, free to children.
The Feztival will take place noon-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Anah Shrine, 586 Main St. in Bangor
The trees will be, for the most part, at least 5 feet tall, though there may be smaller trees in the mix.
Many trees will have a skirt around its base and any objects its donor places under the tree will be considered a part of the tree and will be given to whoever wins the tree..
Tree lighting will be of the LED variety.
The trees will be themed and may reflect the interests of the donor, the holidays or other themes.
After attendees have viewed the trees, purchased raffle tickets may be placed in a bucket by the tree of their choice. The winning tickets for each tree will be drawn at the end of the Feztival.
“We’re hoping for seventy trees this year,” said Janice Young, the Anah Shrine Anahgram advertising manager. “Three years ago we started with twenty trees. We went to forty trees the second year, and this year we already have sixty trees and hoping for seventy.”
Young said she started planning for and working on the Feztival just as soon as last year’s event was over. Young and Libby Hersom do all the tree and venue decorating for the event. “It’s a lot of work but we have a lot of fun with it,” Young said.
Santa Claus and his Elves will be a highlight of the event. Radio station Q106.5 will do a live broadcast, Shriners will staff a cafe with all kinds of food available for purchase and there will be one room reserved for a silent auction. Silent auction items range from items for little girls to furniture, Young said.
And for those who want a chance to win something besides a tree, CBJ Stables has donated an inflatable reindeer stable that lights up, which will be raffled in the same manner as the trees.
Businesses and organizations donating trees include Patrick’s Hallmark store, Snowman Printing, Texas Roadhouse, Machias Savings Bank, Q106.5, Katahdin Trust, the city of Belfast, the city of Searsport, Willey’s Sport Center. Anah Convertible Unit which has donated a cooking-themed tree, Gordon Appraisal Service, Hancock County Shrine club. McLaughlin’s Seafood, Penobscot Home Performance, Anah Clowns-men which donated a tree that comes with a 50-inch television, Anah Clowns-ladies which has a peace and tranquility theme, Pottle’s Transportation, Viking Lumber, Young’s Lobster Pound, Camden National Bank (Exchange Street), Anah 4 X 4 Unit, Anah Wheelers and Anah Divan.
Proceeds from the event will support the mission of Anah Shrine.
For information, call 942-2254 or email anahshriners@gmail.