Holiday Spirit Lights, Trees, Parties And Song Add Color To The Yuletide Season

Tue., Nov. 21, 1995

Nina Culver Special Ot In Life

Even though Thanksgiving hasn’t quite arrived, many people are already turning their thoughts to Christmas.

Organizers of events and fundraisers are making preparations for the busy holiday season ahead. Events range from elegant Christmas tree displays, to arts and crafts or brilliant outdoor displays of lights.

One of the best-known events is Christmas Tree Elegance, which raises money for the Spokane Symphony. It takes more than 100 volunteers working year-round to plan this festival. Last year’s sale raised $115,000, and organizers hope to raise $120,000 this year.

“With the generous support and donations raised by this marvelous event, the Symphony can continue to provide people of the Inland Northwest entertainment and cultural enrichment for many more years to come,” says Jonathan Martin, executive director of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra.

Here are some upcoming events in the Spokane area for the holiday season:

A dance featuring the band Men in the Making is Saturday evening at the Valley Hospital Foundation’s ninth annual Festival of Trees. Events begin Friday and continue through Tuesday. A preview party is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday where guests can view the decorated trees. The event includes country western dancing, dance lessons, and a silent auction of gifts valued at less than $100.

Children can get their pictures taken with Santa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and participate in other children’s activities. Price for adults is $2, children ages 3 to 12 are $1, and children 2 and under are free.

A gala dinner and dance will be held Saturday evening. Some trees will be sold in an oral auction starting at 8:30 p.m. More will be sold in a silent auction continuing throughout the evening. A total of 24 trees will be sold. All trees include gifts. Cost for the gourmet dinner and dance, which runs from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., ranges from $65 to $125.

Holiday table settings and collections of Santas and Christmas villages will be on display Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is the same as for Saturday’s events.

Luncheon fashion shows are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $27 per person. A fashion show also will be held Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost is $18 per person.

Raffle tickets for 10 trees will be sold for $1 throughout the five-day event. The winners’ names will be drawn Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the Valley Hospital and Medical Center’s health care programs. All events will be held in the Red Lion Motor Inn. Reservations are required for the preview party, the gala dinner and dance, and all fashion shows. For more information, contact the Festival of Trees at 922-9489.

Ten themed trees complete with gifts will be raffled off to benefit the Spokane Symphony. Tree packages include Summer Dream, which features a trip to the 1996 Olympics, and Go For the Green, which features a golfing fantasy for two. Other gifts available in tree packages include an Alaska cruise, a trip to France, and a trip to Disney World.

The Preview of Trees will be held next Sunday at noon in the Crescent Court Grand Ballroom, 707 W. Main. Admission is $2.50 per person, and raffle tickets for the trees will sell for $1 each.

Events continue with three luncheons to be held Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1. Each luncheon will feature a runway fashion show, and the cost is $30 per person.

A cocktail party featuring dancing to Unlimited Demand will be Nov. 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $30. The events close on Dec. 1 with a black tie gala dinner dance and a drawing to determine the winners of the trees. The cost is $100 per person.

All events require reservations. Call Spokane Symphony Associates at 326-3136 for reservations and information.

Attend the lighting of the giant 63-foot-tall Christmas tree suspended above the intersection of Main and Wall in downtown Spokane on Nov. 28. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes free carriage rides, street vendors and musical performances.

This event marks the start of a downtown celebration that will continue until Christmas. Sixty trees on Main will be draped with lights to create the “Avenue of Lights.” Free carriage rides will be available Wednesday through Sunday beginning the day after Thanksgiving.

Art for exhibition and sale will be displayed in the Old City Hall. For more information, call the Downtown Spokane Partnership at 456-0580.

The Spokane Art School, 920 N. Howard, will hold its Yuletide ‘95 sale of fine arts and crafts from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. Attend the opening night party from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 for a $15 donation. The event includes music and hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to meet displaying artists.

The public will have additional opportunities to view the arts and crafts on Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Dec. 3, noon to 5 p.m. Admission to these events is free.

Reservations are required for the opening night party and must be received by Friday. Call the Spokane Art School at 328-0900 for reservations or more information.

Take a scenic drive through The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course and view 132 lighted displays. The event includes some animated displays. The Spokane Winter Lights show will run daily from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 1 through Dec. 29.

The golf course is five miles south of Spokane on Highway 195. Admission is $5 per car, $15 per van, $10 per limousine, and $50 per bus. Proceeds benefit the Spokane Parks and Recreation Foundation, a nonprofit community organization.

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