10th Anniversary Christmas Tree Festival coming soon

The Hospice of the Foothills Christmas Tree Festival is just around the corner with beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, swags and handmade crafts for sale.  This year’s festival will run from December 3^rd to 5^th at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Bountyland Road and conclude with the Annual Gala on December 6^th at The Club at Keowee Key.  The Christmas Tree Festival has something for everyone.  New to the festival this year is the Crafts Extravaganza, a free preview event on Tuesday evening featuring “Buy Now” wreaths and decor to take home for early holiday decorating.  Additionally, there will be a chance to meet local artisans that evening.  Each day throughout the festival, there will be Craft Rooms full of handmade crafts and gifts available for purchase, just in time for holiday giving and entertaining. The Cookie Walk Bake Shop has homemade cookies and candies, plus the famous “Butter Braids” bake-it-yourself pastries, available for sale.  Enjoy your cookies and coffee in our Bistro.  Make a stop by Santa’s Surprises to purchase tickets to win great holiday gifts.  You do not have to be present to win. Ticketed events throughout the week include three daily luncheons and Fashion Shows by Emily’s of Seneca, a Pass the Purse Thursday evening event and the 10^th Anniversary Gala on Friday evening.   This year’s gala will include a seated dinner and dancing with entertainment by The Professors of Soul.   Along with food and entertainment, John Warther will auction all of the exquisite trees, wreaths and swags.  The auction will also feature a 6-day, 6-night stay for 4 couples or a large family in a private Costa Rican Villa.  Located atop a mountain overlooking Playa Herradura, this 10-acre compound has everything you need to get away and relax – beautiful suites, a three- level private pool with a sunbathing island and a private Jacuzzi.  The auction will provide a group of friends or family members a wonderful opportunity to experience this beautiful estate while supporting Hospice of the Foothills.  Tickets for the black-tie optional reception and auction are $80 each and available by calling Oconee Medical Center Foundation.  Also, this year’s gala will offer the Diamond Dip made possible by Turner’s Jewelers.  For each $20 contribution to Hospice, a participant gets to “dip” into a bowl of sparkling gems, hoping to find the one “real” diamond valued at approximately $2,800.   All proceeds from the Christmas Tree Festival will help fund The Crippen Endowment for Hospice of the Foothills.  Free and open to the public at St. Paul Catholic Church is the tree viewing from 10am to 8pm on Tuesday, December 3^rd and from 10am to 5pm on December 4^th and 5^th.   The arts and crafts sale, cookie walk, bistro and Santa’s Surprises are open to the public December 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th from 10am to 8pm.  The week concludes on Friday night, December 6^th, with the gala reception at The Club at Keowee Key.   For more information or to purchase tickets for one of the special events, contact the Oconee Medical Center Foundation at 864-885-7912.