Christmas Tree Elegance is ending fashion show luncheons

Christmas Tree Elegance, the Spokane Symphony’s long-running fundraiser, is dropping its fashion show luncheons this year.

Instead, the event will feature one luncheon, on Dec. 9, with music by Spokane Symphony Music Director Eckart Preu, called “Eckart and Friends.”

The annual event features 18 themed Christmas trees that are raffled for $1 a ticket. The trees, which often come with furniture, sporting goods and trips, go on display at the Davenport Hotel and in River Park Square beginning Tuesday. It’s Spokane Symphony Associates’ largest fundraiser of the year.

The fashion show luncheons have been part of the event for about 30 years, longtime volunteers say.

“We have been looking for ways to keep the Christmas Tree Elegance events fresh and interesting and at the same time cost effective,” said Kat Langenheim, co-chairwoman of the annual event. “This year we were able to combine the popular ‘Eckart and Friends’ event with the luncheon to meet that objective.”

Christmas Tree Elegance runs Tuesday through Dec. 13. Tickets for the Dec. 9 lunch cost $50 and require a reservation by calling (509) 458-8733.