York Town News
Start planning now for the first Moquin Family Festival of Trees
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - The Moquin Family's Festival of Trees is set to debut during this year's Festival of Lights Celebration in December, but organizers are on the lookout now for individuals, groups and businesses that want to be a part of the fun."Our mission is to join the entire community together by providing a beautiful festival of decorated Christmas trees for your viewing pleasure while giving back to organizations in our community," explained Janalee Moquin in an announcement of this new event.
The Moquin Family's Festival of Trees will be held at St. Aspinquid Masonic Lodge on Long Sands Road during the Festival of Lights celebration on Dec. 1 through 3, and will end with a raffle of the decorated trees at the end of the celebration.
Donated decorated artificial Christmas trees will be raffled off at the end of the festival with all of the proceeds going directly to a specific organization in York, Moquin explained. Each year, she said, a new recipient will be chosen to receive the proceeds, inviting local residents to submit suggestions regarding worthy recipients.
"Any business, school group, club, municipality, committee, organization, family or individual may participate in this festival," Moquin said, by donating a decorated artificial Christmas tree, in any style and using any type of materials, to be raffled off at the end of the festival.
A limited number of artificial trees, in varying sizes, along with lights and assorted decorations, were purchased in advance for organizations that wish to participate but do not have access to an artificial tree to donate. Moquin said children's groups, such as schools, home school clubs and scouting organizations, will have first consideration on these affordably-priced trees and decorations.
Children's groups wishing to purchase trees and decorations must enter by Nov. 1, and for any other group or individual wishing to purchase items, the entry deadline is Nov. 15. Entry forms for all trees must be completed by Nov. 21 by calling 361-2116 or via e-mail to janaleemoquin8@yahoo.com with "Festival of Trees" as your e-mail subject.
"Any business, group or individual who would like to participate in the festival but is not interested in donating a tree may choose to make a monetary donation that would go directly to the collected proceeds," Moquin said. "Also, donations in the form of gift certificates or specific items or products will be used as a door prize or we'll decorate a tree to be raffled off with all donated items. Please keep in mind that all donated items will be used appropriately to enhance the mission of this festival."
Watch upcoming editions of The Independent for more on Festival of Trees and this year's Festival of Lights Celebration.
