The 32nd annual Festival of Trees will come to the Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., Nov. 27 - Dec. 11.
Despite the many obstacles caused by the pandemic, the City of Greeley’s Festival of Trees, in support of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, will continue this year in a reimagined way. All the important aspects will remain with some added new and innovative twists. Rest assured things will remain festive while keeping the health and safety of the community, sponsors, volunteers, and staff the highest priority.
Community members can purchase tickets online at UCSTARS.com or by phone at 970-356-5000. The event will not offer tickets for sale at the door. Daily event hours vary and can be found online at GreeleyFestivalofTrees.com. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids under 12 and seniors 60 plus, and includes a 90-minute time slot to explore and experience the beautifully decorated trees throughout the UCCC and scheduled entertainment in the Monfort Concert Hall. Space is limited by the current safety standards set by the state of Colorado between 25 and 50 ticketed entries per time slot.
Event organizers ask that visitors to the festival wear a face mask as the City of Greeley requires facial coverings indoors at all City facilities per State of Colorado and CDC guidance and rules. Facility lobbies, Monfort Concert Hall, restrooms, and high touch surfaces will be disinfected in-between each 90-minute session.
The annual Festival of Trees silent auction will be held online this year with numerous holiday items up for bid. Proceeds will support the Union Colony Civic Center and the Greeley Philharmonic Guild. Auction details are available at GreeleyFestivalofTrees.com.
Outdoor Activities
This year, the Festival of Trees will expand outdoors. Event organizers invite people to stop by the Festival of Trees tent located in the parking lot south of the Union Colony Civic Center during regular festival hours, available online at GreeleyFestivalofTrees.com. Patrons can expect live evergreen wreaths for sale with an opportunity to adorn their wreath with some festive holiday bling. Christmas pies and Christmas tamales will also be for sale with pick up the week of Christmas. Be sure to stop by the coffee trailer offering specialty coffees, ciders and hot cocoa.
New for 2020: Watercolor & Wine Event
Participants will enjoy an evening with friends or that special someone at the Union Colony Civic Center’s Watercolor & Wine event from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 701 10th Ave. Colette Pitcher, owner of Showcase Art Center in Greeley, will facilitate this event on the Monfort Concert Hall stage. Each ticket holder will receive an individual holiday themed watercolor kit that includes both a Christmas ornament and a holiday greeting card, individual glasses of wine (limit two per person) and individually plated finger foods to meet CDC recommendations for safety. Community members can purchase tickets online at UCSTARS.com or by phone at 970-356-5000. The event will not offer tickets for sale at the door. Tickets will cost $50 per person. Attendees must be 21 years or older. The Watercolor & Wine event proceeds will help support the Union Colony Civic Center and the Greeley Philharmonic Guild.
Support from sponsors make the Watercolor & Wine event possible. Those sponsors include: City of Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center, the Greeley Philharmonic Guild, Showcase Art Center, LLC, Coral Bay Wine & Spirits, and Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County.
Volunteers Needed
The Festival of Trees events and activities could not happen without a special team of volunteer elves. Positions include ticket takers and tent event volunteers to sell carriage rides, pies, tamales, and wreath “blingers”. Festival organizers ask for a three and a half hour commitment per volunteer shift for those ages 14 years and older. Volunteers will need to complete a waiver and pass a background check before participating. Training will occur 30-minutes before the volunteer shift. To become a volunteer festival elf, please email Special Event Coordinator Andrea Haring at andrea.haring@greeleygov.com
To learn more about the Festival of Trees, ticketing or the daily schedule of events, visit GreeleyFestivalofTrees.com.
Festival of Trees sponsors include: City of Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center, the Greeley Philharmonic Guild, Intrinsic Financial Design Group, Sears Real Estate, UChealth, Grace Pointe Senior Care Community, The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado, Phelps-Tointon, Inc., Montessori Academy of Northern Colorado, Bank of Colorado, Aims Community College and Consider It there.