Boys & Girls Club to Host Annual Festival of Trees

STONEHAM/WAKEFIELD, Mass. — With Thanksgiving behind us, it is finally time to begin the countdown to the holidays. As everyone starts hanging lights and buying trees, the Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham and Wakefield with help kickoff the holiday season with their annual Festival of Trees Celebration. This year, the club is expecting to have a turnout of a couple hundred people and will have over 40 trees on display from businesses, civic organizations and other individuals, including; the Stoneham Boosters Club, the Wakefield Democratic and Republican Town Committees, the Relay for Life, and many more.

As the new Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, Adam Rodgers is excited to be a part of this year’s festival. “We’d like to think of the Festival of Trees as the kick off to the Holiday Season.”, states Rodgers. He also went on to say, “Other than being an important fundraiser, our kids, and even kids who aren’t members get to see how much they are supported by our communities. To see all the trees, participants, vendors, and more, it gives them a sense of pride in our Club.” Rodgers continued that initially the festival was two events started by two volunteers and held at both locations. Stacey Curran Conway started the festival in Wakefield and Paula DiBartolomeo started the event in Stoneham. This will be the first year that the event is combined.

This year, the Festival of Trees Celebration will include plenty of activities for the children attending. Children will be able to take pictures with not only Santa and Mrs. Claus, but pictures can also be taken with Elsa from the hit movie “Frozen”. Not only that, the festival will be filled with holiday music, gingerbread houses, gift baskets and other fun, exciting activities to get anyone into the holiday spirit. The festival will also feature a variety of raffles and silent auctions for prizes including toys, autographs, tickets, gift certificates, and more.

The Festival of Trees Celebration will be held Friday, December 4th from 2-8PM and will be held at the Stoneham Boys & Girls Club – 15 Dale Court in Stoneham, but the event supports both Wakefield and Stoneham Clubs. Lastly, the Festival of Trees Celebration will be followed by another tradition that is well known in Wakefield. “The next day is the Holiday Stroll in Wakefield. In Stoneham, the Holiday Bazaar and now the Festival have become an annual tradition in the community.” says Rodgers. These events will raise money for both the Stoneham and Wakefield Boys & Girls Club. With the holidays less than a month away, this is an event that you will not want to miss!

Press Release by Danny Lumb, Program Director