16th annual Christmas Tree Festival
Warther Museum, in Dover, is filling with Christmas trees for the 16th annual Christmas Tree Festival, sponsored by the Union Hospital Auxiliary. Tree sponsors have been working to prepare the 81 trees for the enjoyment of the thousands of visitors who will walk through the Warther galleries during the festival.
The event is open to the public Nov. 14-22. Daily hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $4 and are sold at the door. Children under 12 are admitted at no charge. Warther Museum is located at 331 Karl Ave., in Dover, just east of the Dover exit on I-77.
Connie Finton, of New Philadelphia, has chaired the event since its inception and said a special day for seniors is new to the festival this year.
“We’re excited that Riverside Manor, in Newcomerstown, has joined our festival family by sponsoring our first Senior Day at the Christmas Tree Festival on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Between 1 and 4 p.m., seniors over age 60 are admitted to the event at half price,” Finton said.
The Children’s Christmas Tree Decorating Workshops will be offered again this year. On Saturday, Nov. 21, workshops will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Each child will have an 18-inch pre-lighted tree and decorations to build their own Christmas tree to take home. The cost is $25. Call the Union Hospital community relations office at 330-602-0778 to make a reservation.
Again this year, the primary corporate sponsor of the festival is Huntington Bank. Room sponsors are AultCare and WTUZ radio. In addition, 81 local companies, individuals, and organizations have sponsored a Christmas tree that will be on display and offered for sale during the festival.
Finton said the support of the Warther family has enabled the festival to grow more successful each year.
“The Warther family and the staff at the museum open their doors and welcome us back each year,” Finton said. “They’re very patient and very supportive, helping us with a lot of the heavy lifting and giving us the run of their museum for the two weeks we’re there.”
The event is an important fundraiser for the Union Hospital Auxiliary. The group works year-round conducting a variety of fundraising projects including the Christmas Tree Festival. Since 1949, the auxiliary has raised approximately $2.5 million for Union Hospital to purchase patient care equipment and improve hospital facilities.
Finton said the trees will be for sale with their prices, sponsor, and names of decorators printed on stands beside each tree. The trees remain at the festival through its conclusion. Tree buyers may pick up their tree at Warther Nov. 23-25, while the larger trees will be delivered to the home or office of the buyer.
