by Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Massachusetts’s Horticultural Society’s (MHS) 16th annual Festival of Trees is in full swing this holiday season, much to the delight of the local community. Opening weekend was bustling, as visitors flocked to the Garden at Elm Bank on the Dover/Wellesley line to browse the dozens of donated artificial trees, walk through the magnificently lit garden, explore the stunning model train village, and enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores by the fire pits.
The event, which was established by a group of volunteers as a fundraiser for the organization, has become one of the most popular, with some visitors returning year after year to make new memories with family and friends. “This is my 16th year coming,” one attendee said, while roasting a marshmallow over a fire pit. “It’s honestly just gotten better and better each year. They do a great job here.”
In addition to viewing the beautifully decorated trees, attendees are also able to try their luck at winning one via a raffle. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 per set of 26, and the lucky winners will be contacted on the last day of the festival. Though the raffle tickets are easily obtained, choosing which trees to try to win is anything but. Most of the stunning creations are themed, with topics ranging from tea time and sports teams to rubber ducks and pets, with many trees also coming with a variety of “extras”, like gift cards, bottles of wine, toys, pet care items, and more. One tree even comes with a bicycle and a drone.
The newest addition to the Festival of Trees is the Labyrinth, which was added just last year. The path is illuminated by the soft glow of white lights throughout, and visitors are able to walk through the winding path to a tree-shaped display in the middle. “This is so fun!” one child shouted as they raced their sibling through the maze.
A visit to the Festival of Trees isn’t complete without a visit to the Snow Village, which is the model train displayed in the Education building, though the words “model train” don’t do it justice. The set fills both sides of an entire room, and includes replicas of landmarks like Fenway Park, a Bavarian-style village, snow-capped mountains, a gondola, and so much more. The Snow Village was generously donated by Needham’s Ellen and Bill Meagher in 2014, and is a highlight of the event for many.
More information about the Festival of Trees, including the option to purchase tickets, which must be reserved in advance, can be found at www.masshort.org. The event is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays - as well as Monday, December 23rd and Tuesday, December 24th - through December 29th.
