A toast to two Inland NW holiday traditions
A toast to two holiday traditions I Thanksgiving means it’s time for the Inland Northwest’s two back-to-back Christmas tree-themed fundraisers: the Festival of Trees in Coeur d’Alene, and Christmas Tree Elegance in Spokane. The Festival of Trees raises money for the Kootenai Cancer Centers in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Sandpoint, while Christmas Tree Elegance supports the Spokane Symphony. Both feature elegantly decorated trees and prize packages that will be auctioned in Coeur d’Alene, and raffled in Spokane. Here are schedule highlights for each event:
Festival of Trees
Where: Coeur d’Alene Resort Convention Center, 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene.
Friday: Friday d’Lights, 5-9 p.m. $2/door.
Saturday: Senior Social, 9:30-11:30 a.m., $20/advance.
Saturday: Benefit Gala and Auction, “A Cool Yule,” with comedians Jay Wendell Walker and Nick Theisen, singer Valerie Stichweh with dancers, and Timothy Swift and the Swingin’ Vinos dance band, 5 p.m.-midnight; $200/each, $1,600/table of eight (reservations required).
Sunday: Family Day/children’s workshop, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $2/door.
Monday: Luncheon Fashion Show, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and Dinner Fashion Show, 6-8:30 p.m.; $50/each, $800/premier table for eight, $600/patron table for eight.
Tickets/information: (208) 666-2345, www.thefestivaloftrees.com
Christmas Tree Elegance
Where: Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St.
Tuesday: Tree lighting ceremony in the lobby, 5:30 p.m., free
Tuesday through Dec. 12: Free viewing of 12 trees and gifts on the mezzanine, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; raffle tickets available for $1 each.
Tuesday through Dec. 4: Style Show and Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. daily; $40, reservations required.
Dec. 4: Gala Dinner Dance (black tie optional), 6 p.m.-midnight, Hall of Doges/Grand Pennington Ballroom, with champagne reception, music by 6 Foot Swing and special drawing for Gala Tree (raffle tickets $10); $150, reservations required.
Dec. 5: Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast, 8-10 a.m., Grand Pennington Ballroom, $25 (photos with Santa for additional charge), reservations required at (509) 624-KIDS.
Dec. 6: “An Evening with Eckart and Friends,” piano performance by Music Director Eckart Preu with string quartet accompaniment, 7 p.m., Isabella Ballroom, $10/door.
Dec. 7: Holiday Hat Luncheon and “Buy Local Boutiques” style show with local celebrity models, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Grand Pennington Ballroom, $25, call (509) 789-6863.
Dec. 12: Tree raffle drawing in lobby, 9:15 p.m.
Information/reservations: (509) 458-8733