VERO BEACH — It’s official – the holidays are upon us. The stores may have begun putting out decorations weeks ago, but Vero’s season truly begins when the lights begin to twinkle at Riverside Children’s Theatre’s Festival of Trees.
With the flick of a switch, Friday night’s Preview Gala co-chairs Elizabeth Sorensen and Angela Waldrop lit up the magical forest of trees and captivating decorations placed throughout RCT’s Anne Morton Theatre and Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse.
The evening ushered in the traditional start of another festive season with this year’s “Joy on the Treasure Coast” theme.
Talented designers decorated 52 delightful Christmas trees, a tasty gingerbread village, and an amazing assortment of artistic wreaths.
All were for sale, along with yummy homemade goodies and collectibles made by volunteer elves and sold in the Christmas Shoppe.
The event benefits RCT educational programs, to help foster arts and cultural enrichment for children through drama, dance, film and technical theatre.
Linda Downey, RCT Education Director, coordinated an enthusiastic committee of volunteers who began putting their heads together almost as soon as the last sparkles were swept from the building last year.
“We wanted to do something that highlights our area,” said Downey of this year’s theme.
“We have a lot of beachy trees and citrus theme trees.”
Torrential rains the day before washed out plans for an outdoor light show, but didn’t dim either the beckoning lights of the tall tree out front or the spirits of arriving guests who were greeted by a chorus of talented RCT kids singing Christmas carols.
Inside, a Holiday Cabaret presented by RCT On The Go director Jeff Horger, entertained as guests sat at tables by the stage, enjoyed the cocktail buffet by Chelsea’s on Cardinal and shopped at various vendor booths.
“Oh look at that one!” was overheard all night, as guests pointed out one imaginative tree after another.
“This is my first tree; I’m so excited,” said Ginny Blossom, who won Best Miniature Tree for her elephant inspired tree, “A Christmas You’ll Never Forget.”
A consultant with the National Elephant Center in Fellsmere, she pointed to footprints on the tree skirt and added, “The elephants made some of the decorations.”
Birds of a different feather inspired “Plumes of Distinction,” festooned with peacock feathers and topped with a beautiful bright blue peacock light. Designed by Sherri’s Floral Shoppe in Sebastian, the tree won for Best Contemporary Tree.
“We have five trees tonight, in addition to co-chairing. We did gift certificates on four of the trees and the other one is “It’s a Boy Boy World,”” said Waldrop, who designed the trees with Sorensen.
Explaining the fifth tree she said, “I have a 7-year old; that’s an area I know. And kids’ trees sell really well.”
Artist Jean Clark, awarded Best Traditional Tree, went all out – building an entire backdrop to enhance her lovely tree. Entitled “Memories: The Way it Was,” the tree was placed in a cozy living room scene, complete with fireplace, rocking chair and real window looking out onto a snowy village.
Ruth Ann Holt crafted a spectacular “Treasure Coast Santa” pirate with a roguish feathered hat and twinkle in his eye.
“This is my fifteenth year; I didn’t find out about it until after their first,” said Holt who hand-crafted everything on the 6-foot tall Santa, deciding on the spot to name him, “St. Nick of the High Seas.”
Lori Davis and Hope Brovont won Best Tall Tree and Best in Show for “Santa’s Blue Lagoon,” adorned with wonders from the sea – delicate shells and driftwood jewelry, topped with a feathery reef.
Best Interpretation of a Theme went to “A Ruby Star Grateful Christmas,” festooned with paper-thin slices of sparkly grapefruit. Despite the name, Shannon Estes, who designed the tree with her mother Faye Estes admitted with a smile, “They’re actually white grapefruit.”
Best Table Top Tree went to “Starry Starry Night,” a sparkly confection of glittery stars designed by the “three amigos.”
This year’s Best Gingerbread House went to talented Faye Este for “First United Methodist Church,” resplendent with stained glass windows and a covered walkway.
Other crowd favorites included an elegant “Beachside Mansion,” an entire “Ginger Town,” a gingerbread boxer delivering a knockout punch in “House of Champions,” and an adorable beachside “Christmas in Paradise.”
“It’s wonderful,” said Kathy Johnson of the Gingerbread Village enhanced by a clacking model train. She added with a laugh, “I love the train; I covet the train!”
“This is so nostalgic,” agreed friend Susan Zimmer. “We all grew up with trains.”
In the Hall of Wreaths, Lisa Grandage won Best Wreath for her colorful and glittery ring of Christmas balls.
A unique addition to the fabulous silent auction was a package that included a VIP tour of the hit TV show NCIS: Los Angeles, thanks to star Chris O’Donnell’s familial link to Vero Beach.
His wife Caroline is the daughter of Windsor resident and RCT Advisory Board member Diane Fentress and granddaughter of theater namesake, Anne Morton.
Longtime Advisory Board member Nancy Ross related with a big smile, “We have so many trees being purchased at the ‘buy it now’ price; it’s wonderful!”
The Festival of Trees continues Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; adults $8, children $3. Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; adults $16, children $10, includes Festival admission.