REXBURG — ‘Tis the season! The season to buy a Christmas tree, that is. Residents of Eastern Idaho are invited to do just that at 57th Festival of Trees in Idaho Falls. This year’s theme is “A Country Christmas.”
Mike O’Bleness, the president of the festival, says it’s not just about getting a tree, but helping DWI, formerly the Development Workshop of Idaho Falls, in the process.
“It started back in the mid ‘60s and was supporting our nonprofit, community-based hospitals at the time,” O’Bleness said. “Over those years, as those hospitals have grown and become for-profit entities that meet the needs of our communities, they were looking for another host nonprofit. In the mid-80s, they picked Development Workshop. And through Development Workshop, we've been able to help people with disabilities. And in the last several years, we've been able to support seven to eight nonprofits through the help of Development Workshop.”
The mission of DWI, which stands for Develop, Worth, Independence, is to assist individuals with disabilities or who are underprivileged to achieve their desired level of economic and social independence.
Over the years, the festival, through DWI, has benefited Field of Angels, Bike for Kids and Champs Heart, among others. Last year, the festival donated $80,000 to eight different nonprofits. The festival will have all different sizes and prices of trees for sale. Average prices for trees range from $75 to $2,000 for pre-decorated, full-size trees. Along with the trees, the festival has much in store for participants.
“We have a crafters section where local crafters have booths where they're selling their crafts to the community,” O’Bleness said. “Then for the kids, we have Santa's Gift Shop where they can go in and buy gifts for the rest of their family. And then we'll have Santa here most of the week greeting the families and kids so they can stop and say hi and let the Santa know what they are looking for.”
Visitors will also have the chance to put their name in a raffle for gift baskets donated by local businesses. Entertainment will be provided by local groups.
O’Bleness says the festival does not have a monetary goal but they know if the event is focused on the community, the community members will come through.
“I think that's really what the holidays are about, is our community coming together to celebrate the holiday,” O’Bleness said. “That’s what I call the magic of festival, is how so many people from our community choose to volunteer, and that’s every bit as important as those people that come in and buy trees.”
The festival has various volunteer opportunities for people of all abilities and each with a different time commitment — from baking treats to manning booths and collecting money.
The festival begins today and goes through Friday at Idaho Falls Elks Lodge #1087. There is an entry fee of $4 for kids 4-17 and $5 for adults. You can get a family pass for $20. For more information and to volunteer visit www.dwinc.org/festival-of-trees.