Must-see Christmas trees

Thu., Nov. 24, 2005

Staff writer

Here’s how to get into that “O Tannenbaum” spirit: Two popular Christmas tree festivals start on Friday, one in Spokane, one in Coeur d’Alene.

The Spokane festival is Christmas Tree Elegance, a holiday tradition that raises funds for the Spokane Symphony Associates.

The Coeur d’Alene version is the Festival of Trees, a fund-raiser for the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation.

Each event features elaborately decorated trees as well as a schedule of entertainment and fashion shows.

Here are details on each:

Christmas Tree Elegance

Friday through Dec. 3 at the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. – The theme this year is “The 12 Days of Christmas,” with 12 trees, plus a Dorothy Fowler sculpture, to raffle off.

The trees represent a number of travel-oriented packages, including a trip to France; a hiking-and-biking package to the Bavarian Alps; a shopping expedition to Beverly Hills; and a trip to Tuscany.

Here’s a schedule of events:

Friday through Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.: Free viewing of the trees in the Davenport Hotel mezzanine; raffle tickets available.

Friday, 5 p.m.: Free tree-lighting ceremony.

Saturday, 8-11 a.m.: Second annual Santa Breakfast Buffet in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, $25 per person, to benefit Mobius Kids. For reservations, call 624-KIDS.

Sunday, 12:30-5 p.m.: Free family entertainment.

Sunday, 6-7 p.m.: “An Evening with Eckart Preu and Friends” in the Isabella Ballroom, $10 at the door.

Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Free family entertainment in the Marie Antoinette Room.

Monday, 12:30-3 p.m.: Red Hat Tea in the Isabella Ballroom. For reservations, call 789-6863.

Tuesday, 7-10 p.m.: “Dancing at the Dav,” featuring Stagecoach West in the Marie Antoinette Room, $10 at the door.

Tuesday through Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m. each day: Macy’s Style Show and Luncheon. Reservations required; call 458-TREE.

Dec. 3, 6 p.m.-midnight: Gala Dinner Dance, music by Tuxedo Junction Big Band. The drawing for the 12 trees and a Dorothy Fowler sculpture will be held throughout the evening (you do not need to be present to win).

For more information, call 458-TREE.

“Festival of Trees, Friday through Monday, Coeur d’Alene Resort: This event has been a tradition in North Idaho for 17 years, with people from throughout the community pitching in to decorate the elaborate trees.

The trees are not raffled; they are sold at the Saturday Festival Gala. A number of other items, including a “wine tree,” will be auctioned and raffled off.

Here’s a schedule (not including several events that already have sold out):

Friday, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Decorating Day.

Friday, 5-9 p.m.: Friday d’Lights, family night with tree viewing and entertainment. Admission: $3 for adults, $2 for children 2-12.

Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Family Day, tree viewing and entertainment of the season. Admission: $2 at the door.

Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Children’s Workshop in the Resort Convention Center. Special Christmas crafts and face painting.

Call (208) 666-TREE for more information.

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