METHUEN — Winners of the 16th annual Festival of Trees decorating competition have been announced, and the trees, along with dozens of others, can be seen until Saturday, when the show closes for another season.
The festival at Valley Office Park, 13 Branch St., runs daily from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
General admission is $8 and children under 12 are free. For information, visit www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com or call 978-685-8878.
Proceeds will be used to preserve heritage and monuments in Methuen and surrounding communities.
Tree award categories and the winners are as follows:
Best Use of Lighting
First place: "A Ruby Red Christmas" by Mary Lou Nash and Maureen Pollard, Methuen
Second place: "Abracadabra ... A Magical Christmas Tree" by Lisa Alaimo, Methuen
Third place: "The Peppermint Express" by Vicky Lavigne and Nadia Dietz, Methuen
Best Tree Done By Children
First place: "Monkey...ing Around" by The Chapel School, Methuen
Second place: "A New Beginning" by Little Sprouts, Methuen
Third place: "The Jacket I Wear in the Snow" by Tenney Grammar School, Methuen
Best Children's Theme
First place: "Fairy Dreams" by Dr. Maritza Morell, a Lawrence dentist
Second place: "Cuddle Up with the Wild Things" by Kindred Spirits, Methuen
Third place: SDLq... and Visions of Sweet Popstars Danced in Their Heads" by Girl Scout Troop 60768, Methuen
Best Use of Theme
First place: "Christmas in Camelot" by Catherine George, Haley, Morgan and Kenny Pollard, Salem, N.H.
Second place: "Pawsitively Purrfect Christmas Tree" by the River Road Veterinary Hospital, Andover
Third place: "His and Hers" by Joe Spanos Productions, Andover
Best Mini Tree
First place: "A Fortune-ate Christmas" by Leigh Snell, Alexandria, Va.
Second place: "If the Shoe Fits" by Martha and Frank Welch, Methuen
Third place: "Nutcracker Sweet" Sharon Pollard and Tom Lussier, Methuen
Best Tree Skirt/Under the Tree Display
First place: "Cookin' It Up at Christmas" by Sherie Fair and Maureen Ridenour, Severna Park, M.D., Lawrence, in memory of Betty Basha and Betty Saba
Second place: "Santa Away - Elves Holiday" by Marie Woodhead Kostoulakos and Meredith Flynn, Methuen
Third place: "Mele Kalikimaka" by Comprehensive Grammar School, Methuen
Best Top of Tree Display
First place: "I'm Dreaming of a White Mountain Christmas" by the family of Denise Duquette Bocash, in memoriam.
Second place: "Sugar and Spice" by Rick and Mary-Ellen Beshara, Rob and Erin Prindle, Brad Beshara and Gisette Cabrera, Methuen
Third place: "Happy Holidays Hawaiian Style" by Christine & Kyle Ludwig and Carol Palmegiano, Methuen
Most Creative/Unique
First place: "The Santa Express" by Karen, Victoria, Joshua, Jared, Julia and Frank Small, Methuen
Second place: "Revenge of the Christmas Trees" by The Humbug Society, East Hampstead, N.H.
Third place: "Bee Happy" by Scott's Auto and Truck Service, Methuen
Most Traditional
First place: "Glisten" by the Methuen Board of Trade
Second place: "Here Comes Santa Claus" by the Duquette family in memory of Olive Duquette
Third place: "All 'Red'dy for Christmas!" by Rick Coco RE/MAX Partners, Methuen and Andover
Most Beautiful
First place: "Ice Fairies" by The Loop, Methuen
Second place: "Rejoice" by Sharon Pollard and Tom Lussier, Methuen
Third place: "Golden Delicious" by Mann Orchards, Methuen
Best of the Festival
"The Santa Express" by Karen, Victoria, Joshua, Jared, Julia and Frank Small, Methuen
