Holiday Tree Festival Spruces Up Vacant Space

The snowflakes have begun to dangle from the ceiling inside 801 W. Main St.

The begins next month, and 14 businesses have signed up to creatively decorate their trees and show them off to the public.

The Reporter Newspaper had the first fully-decorated tree Thursday night - complete with copies of its various special sections under the tree as presents, and ornaments promoting its Facebook and Twitter pages.

Kate Karatas and an associate from Bee Bergvall and Co. Certified Public Accountants in Lansdale have begun stringing garland and golden ornamental balls on their tree.

Meanwhile, organizers Mary Schwalje, of , and resident Jean Fritz were busy setting up trees and adorning the former West Coast Video space with paper snowflakes and fake snow.

Aside from The Reporter and Bee Bergvall and Company, other participating businesses in the event are , Sign-a-Rama, Carol Frey and Eilenn Koolpe of Keller Williams Realty, , , , , , , and .

Participants were told to bring their trees to the location on Thursday between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. or Saturday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

You can see photos of Thursday's initial set-up in our gallery.

Local businesses have come together to donate toward the new holiday event in the borough.

Property owner Seymour Levin is not charging rent for use of his property.

The borough will also be providing electric for free.

, in Lansdale, is donating a red carpet. , in Lansdale, has discounted the rental of stanchions and velvet roping for the event. is offering discounted ribbons and bows for decoration.

Trees will be displayed between Dec. 2 and Dec. 20.

Trees can be viewed Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visitors will be encouraged to vote for their favorite tree.

The winner of the best showcased tree wins bragging rights.

The idea for the festival was for businesses to buy the right to showcase a tree. A fee of $90 was charged to participate. Businesses had to provide their own tree. Lowe's in Hatfield is selling fake trees at a 33 percent discount.

The Holiday Tree Festival will happen concurrently with the borough’s Santa House. The Santa House is open Thursday 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning Dec. 2.