Festival Of Trees: A Decade Of Tradition

It's been a local tradition that has continued to grow. The thought that started it all was, why couldn't we do this in Glasgow?

The Festival of Trees for Relay For Life will bring locals in and kick off the holiday season this weekend. Creative tree décor will line the room at the Glasgow Elks Club.

The prime rib dinner and auction will take place on Friday, Nov. 21, from 6-8 p.m. Tickets have already been selling for the event. For those who just want to take a peak at what quirky themes were created, the trees are open for public viewing on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Rod Karst has helped with the event since it was created. He explained that Joan Steffani and Phyllis Virkoski gathered a decade ago and started the event. He explained that 10-15 trees were there the first year and every year there's something different. There's always a variety of trees.

If you've never been to a Festival of Trees event, pictures several trees decorated and lit up with different themes, different colors and different materials to make the tree extra special. The trees are then auctioned off. Someone will get to take the tree home, already decorated, to enjoy for the season. Meanwhile, the auction funds go toward the Northeastern Montana Relay for Life.

Karst explained that trees sometimes find their way back to be donated again.

Themes they've seen over the years have ranged from “Wizard of Oz,” “A Cartridge in a Bear Tree,” breast cancer themed trees and memorial trees. He said that one individual always seems to come up with something clever each year.

He said that man's “Cartridge in a Bear Tree” theme was a shotgun shell on a tree with a bear. A minimal approach with a sense of humor. Last year Skip's tree was “A Christmas Story,” which raised $250 last year after an entertaining bidding war.

“We average around $2,500 every year,” Karst said.

He explained that some changes were made last year that may have helped with the fundraising efforts. They made the auction a live auction and also auctioned off wreaths. While the changes brought in some new people, there are others who aren't a stranger to the event.

“We have groups that come back every year,” Karst said.

He explained how one family started a tribute tree for a family member diagnosed with cancer and they continued to come back. The community EQ Singers will be at the event to sing during the dinner. The dinner has been averaging around 150 people each year.

“It's growing, that's the important part. It's hard to believe it's been 10 years,” Karst said.

Karst added that Elks member Smiley Johnson has been an unofficial member of the committee that started planning for the event in September.

“There's a lot that goes into it,” Karst said.