2011 Missoula Festival of Trees

Black Friday sales are over and the turkey’s been turned into sandwiches, so that can only mean one thing:  Time to get in the Christmas mood!

Mountain Home Montana’s annual Missoula Festival of Trees is one of the merriest ways for the whole family to put the Christmas season in full swing.

The 2011 Festival of Trees begins with the Tour of Trees from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 and again on Friday, December 2. Admission is free, but they do accept donations, if you feel so inclined. Enjoy all the beautifully-decorated Christmas trees and get a little inspiration for decorating your own!

Kick up your heels on Thursday night from 7:00-11:00 at the Jingle Bell Jam. 2011 is the inaugural year for this Festival of Trees event, and with live music by Cold Hard Cash Show, dancing, and a bevy of Christmas cocktails, it’s sure to put you in a festive spirit. Tickets are $25 for singles and $40 for couples.

The Missoula Festival of Trees’ flagship event is the annual Gala Dinner and Auction. The live and silent auctions, holiday music, and gourmet dinner party are a fabulous excuse to support Mountain Home Montana! Tickets are $75 per person, and 10-seat Corporate Tables are available for $1,000.

The Teddy Bear Tea Party closes the festival from 10:00-11:00 on Saturday, December 3. Young Missoulians and their teddy bears are invited to spend the morning sipping tea, making crafts, enjoying snacks, and visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $7 each.

Mountain Home Montana is a Transitional Living Program that provides shelter, support, and education to young, homeless mothers and their children. They team up with the Community Medical Center Foundation to put on the Festival of Trees as a fundraiser in support of both organizations’ commitments to serving the greater Missoula community.

All of the events will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, located just off Reserve Street. You can buy tickets for the 13th Annual Missoula Festival of Trees at Southgate Mall, Rockin Rudy’s, the Community Medical Center Gift Shop, or online.