Downtown Festival Of Trees Creates Welcoming Experiences For All
Local Media
November 23, 2021
DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL OF TREES CREATES WELCOMING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL
10-Day Festival Opens November 26
The Festival of Trees is back once again this year to create festival holiday experiences for all in the heart of Downtown Missoula. The Downtown Missoula Partnership’s Festival of Trees features a multi-space, multi-day Tour of Trees with opportunities to win one of 10 designer-decorated trees at various Downtown businesses through a community raffle November 26 through December 5. For 10 consecutive days, all are invited to the admission-free Tour of Trees, featuring ten Downtown businesses showcasing beautiful Christmas Trees and holiday packages valued at $500 each.
The Festival of Trees will be open to the public starting at 10 am on Black Friday and will be the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season in Downtown. All of the trees will be viewable from inside and outside of the businesses during business hours from Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 5.
Ten designer-decorated trees will be located at these Downtown locations:
- Worden’s Market
- Missoula Public Library
- Residence Inn at the Merc
- One Eleven
- Mary’s Mountain Cookies
- Board of Missoula
- Missoula Bicycle Works
- Clyde Coffee
- Bitterroot Flower Shop
- Frame of Mind
Low-cost raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win one of the trees, and funds raised will support the Missoula Downtown Foundation, which is focused on preserving the heritage and culture of Downtown. The Foundation continues to raise funds for Caras Park upgrades, Wayfinding, and Heritage Missoula programming, expansion of holiday décor, banners and flowers throughout downtown. Tickets range from $2-$3 each, depending on the number purchased.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at all of the tree locations and the Downtown Missoula Partnership office through December 5. Tree winners will be announced and trees will be delivered to the winners on Monday, Dec. 6.
The Downtown Missoula Partnership will also have Teddy Bear Tea Kits for families to take home and enjoy. Available for sale online or in person for $10 each, Teddy Bear Tea Kits will feature two creative art projects, cookies and beverages to make, and a variety of fun items and experiential coupons for children to enjoy with their families.
The Festival of Trees will coincide with Downtown Missoula’s other holiday season celebrations: Shop Small Saturday Kickoff Nov. 27, the Reverse Parade of Lights Dec. 4, and the Lighting of the Downtown Tree Nov. 26 – Dec. 5.
Instead of a large gathering for a single event, this year’s Lighting of the Tree will take place every night at 6 pm from November 26 through December 5. The Downtown Holiday Tree has new Christmas lights and a brand-new 5-foot star topper, thanks to the Missoula Downtown Foundation and Washington Companies. The Downtown Holiday Tree is located on North Higgins next to the Red XXXXs.
“Last year’s changes proved to be a great move for our Downtown businesses,” said Linda McCarthy, Executive Director of the Downtown Missoula Partnership. “We welcome all – residents and visitors to enjoy all the amenities Downtown has to offer. We are grateful we can provide inclusive and low-cost holiday experiences for our community.”
The Missoula Festival of Trees was created in 1999 by Mountain Home Montana and gifted to the Downtown Missoula Partnership in 2017. Funds generated from the festival are invested in Downtown projects and programs.
More information on the upcoming festival or other Holiday Happenings in Downtown Missoula can be found online at www.missouladowntown.com or by contacting the Downtown Missoula Partnership office via phone (406-543-4238) or email ([email protected]).
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