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Beyond the tradition: Locals go for more than just evergreens for this year's Festival of Trees
Published: November 16, 2006
Hang some ornaments, wrap some lights and tinsel and top with a star - most think this is how you decorate a Christmas tree. Unless of course, they've been to the Methuen Festival of Trees.
For the annual event, decorators have gone beyond the evergreens, bringing sunflowers and palm trees into the Christmas decorating cannon. Some have even gone beyond the tree, creating Christmas ensembles and sculptures that bear little resemblance to the traditional, lone triangle.
"These are not just trees; these are structures," said Maureen Pollard of Methuen, president of the Festival of Trees. "There are penguins running around, there's an igloo - I am still in awe."
Sheri Sharkey of Salem, N.H., said it best: "We are not into that plain old tree thing," as she assembled a Christmas tree fashioned from old decks of playing cards, aptly titled "Deck the Halls." "It's more fun this way."
As in years past, the festival features more than 200 Christmas trees decorated by local individuals, families and businesses on display for the next two weeks. Each year, the festival draws about 20,000 visitors, most of whom vie for the trees in an end-of-festival raffle. Money raised at the festival goes to restore Methuen's historical landmarks and treasures. Over the last 12 years, $600,000 has been raised through the program.
For the annual event, decorators have gone beyond the evergreens, bringing sunflowers and palm trees into the Christmas decorating cannon. Some have even gone beyond the tree, creating Christmas ensembles and sculptures that bear little resemblance to the traditional, lone triangle.
"These are not just trees; these are structures," said Maureen Pollard of Methuen, president of the Festival of Trees. "There are penguins running around, there's an igloo - I am still in awe."
Sheri Sharkey of Salem, N.H., said it best: "We are not into that plain old tree thing," as she assembled a Christmas tree fashioned from old decks of playing cards, aptly titled "Deck the Halls." "It's more fun this way."
As in years past, the festival features more than 200 Christmas trees decorated by local individuals, families and businesses on display for the next two weeks. Each year, the festival draws about 20,000 visitors, most of whom vie for the trees in an end-of-festival raffle. Money raised at the festival goes to restore Methuen's historical landmarks and treasures. Over the last 12 years, $600,000 has been raised through the program.
The annual event is popular with residents from across the Merrimack Valley, both for spectators and decorators, professional and amateur.
Friends Valerie Lincoln of Methuen and Kelly Sosik-Hamor of Pelham, N.H., intended to decorate a tree for the festival for the first time this year, but thought they'd missed their chance when their tree bent and broke during assembly. Instead, they turned their broken tree into a Christmas cornucopia, complete with sculpted fruits and vegetables.
"What else can you do with a vertical tree?" Sosik-Hamor said.
Sisters Patrice LeSage of Sandown, N.H., Sharon McNeil of Methuen, and their sister-in-law Linda Duquette of Derry, N.H., also got creative with their tree, called "Oh Buoy, It's Christmas."
They placed their tree on a pedestal made from a lobster trap set on a round "beach" of sand and shells, and placed lobster buoys under it. The tree itself is decorated with a nautical theme, with lobster and clam shell lights, starfish and netting. When viewers get near the tree, they can hear the sounds of the ocean and seagulls.
The three crafted the tree, their second year of participating in the festival, in memory of their sister and sister-in-law Denise Duquette Bocash, who passed away two years ago next week from pancreatic cancer.
"She loved Maine and lobsters," McNeil said. "This gives a way to memorialize her."
"Christmas was her favorite holiday, so it's fitting (we) do this for her," Duquette said.
Scott Martin's tree has a theme of "Happily Ever After Wedding." The florist used bridal bouquets, corsages and white stars, a pole draped in gold fabric, all wrapped in netting to create his entry for the festival.
"Everybody does a traditional tree; we wanted to do something out there," he said.
Jim Carney also went for something unusual, creating a "tree" from grapevine wreaths, branches and grapevine balls. Called "A Novel Tree," he spent about six months crafting it in honor of the Nevins Memorial Library.
"I am a machine designer, and I like a challenge," Carney said.
In addition to the viewing of the trees, attendees can participate in the silent/live auction for other items including vacations, theater packages, sports memorabilia and unique works of art.
Changes at this year's festival go beyond the nontraditional trees. Money raised - from admission fees, raffle tickets and the silent auction - will go to Methuen historical projects as in the past, but this time around, the festival will also expand its grant program to assist other communities with preservation projects. A matching grant of up to $10,000 will be awarded to the community with the most votes at the end of the festival.
If you go
What: Methuen's Festival of Trees
When: Saturday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Dec. 2. Open weekdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Brooks Property, 13 Branch St., Methuen
How: General admission is $6. Seniors (65 or older) get in free on Saturday for Senior Citizen Day. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, call 978-685-8878 or visit www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com.
Special event: Children ages 4 to 10 are invited to attend the first "Ugly Bug Ball" on Sunday, Nov. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A bug costume and $5 entitles each child to participate in a fun-filled event. Each child will receive an "Ugly Bug" designer T-shirt, juice and cookies, a book and bug crafts. A trophy will be awarded to the top three most creative costumes.
