Anna Valencia Tillery with Mr. and Mrs. Claus [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Riverside Theatre kicked off the holiday season with a perennial favorite for children of all ages – the 22nd annual Festival of Trees weekend event to benefit Riverside for Kids programming and scholarships. The entire campus was aglow Friday evening at the opening Gala.

Inside the Ann Morton Theatre and Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse, volunteer designers had fully embraced the Winter Wonderful theme, filling the Festival Forest with imaginative Christmas trees of various sizes. There was everything from elegantly traditional, such as Andrea Beck’s red and gold bird-themed ‘Cardinal Rule’ (most Traditional small tree), to wonderfully whimsical, including Catalina Pine’s delightful ‘Coastal Wonders’ – a teddy bear driving an old-fashioned red pickup with a tree in the back (Most Whimsical small tree). Best in Show was awarded to an enormous traditional-style tree by Dillard’s.

“It is just magical; everything is so beautiful,” said Beth Hager, marketing director of Vero Beach Outlets, the festival’s presenting sponsor.

There were also assorted wreaths in the hallway, and exquisitely elaborate gingerbread houses that seemed more inventive than ever.

“My granddaughter is coming and this will be in her bedroom waiting for her,” said Jeanine Harris, of the ‘Elsa’s Ice Cookie Castle’ she had just purchased. The snowy “Frozen” confection created by Cody Estes won Most Whimsical.

Ali Martello said she used more than five pounds of confectioners’ sugar in just the trees alone for her Christmas into the Woods gingerbread house – her very first ever. “I just loved the idea,” said Martello. “This is my third or fourth Christmas here and I thought, let me try my hand at it.”

Gala guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres from Orchid Gourmet Catering as they perused and purchased the creative creations, as well as gifts from the Festival Market vendors.

Outside, mesmerizing icicle lights dripped from mossy oak trees and little white lights adorned palm tree trunks. They provided the perfect backdrop for dining at tables set up all around the Loop to sup on a buffet of dishes by Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Co. while being entertained by talented Riverside Theatre Performance Apprentices.

Inside the theater’s Orchid Lobby were more vendors and the always-popular Christmas Shoppe, where past attendees lamented that the famed ‘Blue Cheese Spread’ was no longer available due to a Grinch-like Health Department ruling. For those who missed their fix, volunteer elves said they may try selling recipe cards next year.

The highlight of the evening had everyone movin’ and a groovin’ in their seats with a Motown and More Christmas concert on the Stark Stage, featuring jazzed-up Christmas favorites and hits by artists from Stevie Wonder and James Brown to the Supremes and the Temptations. Champagne and assorted delicious goodies from Wild Thyme Catering closed out the festive evening.

The campus was packed again Saturday and Sunday with a continuation of the festival which also featured visits with Santa, “ice” skating and additional performances by Riverside Theatre for Kids students and apprentices.

Riverside Theatre Performance Apprentices will also perform at the Outlets on Saturday, Dec. 14, during its Santa Celebration.

For more information, visit riversidetheatre.com or verobeachoutlets.com.