The Christmas season in Danville gets its official start this weekend with the Festival of Trees. It will be Saturday through Wednesday in the Palmer Arena. The event provides entertainment, family fun, and creative holiday designs for all to enjoy. Besides the beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreathes, there will be a children’s craft area, a bakery and time with Santa. There will be special events such as breakfast with Santa, Bingo, Ladies luncheon, princess tea party, veterans day and senior special day.
This is the 26th year the Festival will be held in the Palmer Arena. The event was started by the local medical center and during the first 23 years, it raised more than 4 million dollars in support of community programs and health care initiatives. The operation of the Festival of Trees was transferred over to the Balloons Over Vermilion organization in 2021. The board of Directors pledged that 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to community needs. This year a portion of the proceeds will be awarded to the hospital for updates/modernization of the fourth floor of the facility.
General admission is 5 dollars for adults and 2 dollars for children from 3-12 years of age. Those under 3 are free.
The Festival of Trees is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. both Monday and Tuesday; and 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
