INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Festival of Trees is a fabulous, favorite holiday tradition in Vero Beach. Now in its 15th year as the Riverside Children’s Theatre’s only annual fundraiser, it has generated net proceeds of close to $1 million to benefit the theatre’s educational programs.
Beneath the front portico, a children’s choir singing a sweet rendition of “Oh, Christmas Tree” welcomed guests arriving for Friday evening’s Gala Preview Party.
The Agnes Wahlstrom Youth playhouse and Anne Morton Theatre had been transformed into a shimmering holiday forest to carry out this season’s theme, “Holidays Past and Present.”
The 33-member Festival of Trees Committee was headed by co-chairwomen Sabrina Starr and Rossy Harper. Two of the very first festival leaders, 2012 Honorary co-chairwomen Kathy Cigala and Ellen Walker, performed the tree lighting ceremony. When they “flipped the switch” and thousands of tiny lights blinked on, a long, collective “Oooooooooo!” arose from the delighted crowd.
The silent auction is a highlight of the weekend event, and this year features 50 brilliantly creative trees, as well as wreaths and centerpieces, an amazing, intricate gingerbread village, and a beautiful display of menorahs. The glittering assemblage infused every corner of every room with the warmth and spirit of the holidays as, amidst these lovely creations, the popular Christmas Shoppe beckoned with colorful and tempting holiday wares from local businesses.
In that magical setting, guests mingled and wandered, or relaxed at the green topped tables set up around the stage, enjoying the full buffet and cocktails.
Gala attendees had first crack at the auction items, and studiously inspected the many auction offerings, discussing how a particular tree might look in their own home.
The choices were many: ceiling-brushing, tabletop and miniature trees, wreaths, too, from fun and funny, to traditional red and green, Santa and candy cane, glitzy, tropical, a tall and elegant white and gold tree, perhaps, topped by a headdress of white feathers; or maybe pink and chartreuse fish swimming through bright ribboned branches or how about turtles? Or jingle bells? Glam girl tea party, maybe? There was surely a tree or wreath of a size and style to suit any bidder.
Citrus Elementary student Bobby Miller favored a bright blue tabletop number – “Ariel’s Under the Sea Tree.” “I helped decorate that one,” he explained. He is a children’s theater actor, currently in rehearsal for the December production of “The Little Mermaid”, in which he’ll play the role of Flounder.
The slightly cool and drizzly air did no daunt the attendees, but, rather, encouraged cool weather clothes, and the wintry outfits nicely suited the event theme. With boots, wooly coats, rich hues, velvets and brocades, the ladies themselves became part of the holiday decoration.
Brother and sister Diane Fentress and Bill Morton shared a very special fondness for the festival as they stood enjoying the beauty of the theater’s holiday dressing. Their father, Jack Morton, founded the Ann Morton Theatre with, and in honor of, their mother, Ann.
“This theater provided a great joy to her,” Bill said. “Our father had the show business perspective and Linda (Downey, close family friend and RCT director of education) had such vision. Our father would never have lived to 94 without this theater and Linda.” Jack Morton passed away in 2004, Ann in 2007.
Others among the evening’s guests: Don Houpt; Janet Cobb and Monti Jones (son Tilky is an RCT “alum”); Selden Iolick, Cathy Padgett (owner of Veranda) and Matilde Sorensen; Mel and Nancy Goodes (Gold Star sponsors); Tim Perez and Roxy Larabie (Roxy’s daughter Chloe will appear in “Little Mermaid” next month) Mark and Stacey Rodolico (Mark’s at the Point); Georgia Irish (Marine Bank VP); and David Johnson (Dogs for Life).
Dale Sorensen noted his daughter Elizabeth helped design three of the evening’s tabletop trees.
Topping off the evening and, as Linda Downey put it, “upping the entertainment value of the gala,” was a holiday cabaret featuring Riverside actors Kathy St. George and Jimmy Ray Bennett, performing in the Ann Morton Theatre, accompanied by music director Ken Clifton.
The gala was polished and extremely well organized – another beautiful chapter in the life of one of the community’s brightest assets.