INDIANAPOLIS — Dozens of spectacularly decorated trees will be on display beginning Friday, November 22 as the Warren Arts & Education Foundation (WAEF) presents “25 Years of Christmas,” the 25th annual Warren Holiday TreeFest. The event runs through Tuesday, November 26 at the Warren Performing Arts Center (WPAC) on the campus of Warren Central High School, 9500 East 16th Street, Indianapolis.
Trees on exhibit will range in size from 7-1/2-footers decorated by professional designers to compact two-foot creations decked out by local celebrities. Area choirs and dance groups will provide on-going entertainment on the WPAC stage throughout TreeFest. A gift shop will showcase the latest in holiday décor, including one-of-a-kind treasures and hand-crafted items, while a concessions stand will be open for refreshments including sandwiches, beverages and fresh-baked cookies.
Hours for the TreeFest are 3:30 to 8 p.m. – Fri., Nov. 22; Mon., Nov. 25, and Tues., Nov. 26; noon to 4 p.m. – Sat., Nov. 23, noon to 8 p.m. – Sun., Nov. 24. Tickets are $4 per adult, and $3 for senior adults 65-plus and students. Children five years of age and under are free.
All trees are available for purchase prior to or during TreeFest (pre-sold trees remain on display throughout the event). The trees are ideal for home or office, and will be delivered free of charge within a 25-mile radius of Indianapolis at the event’s conclusion.
Celebrity Tree Decorators for the 25th anniversary event include Country Music Hall of Fame member JD Cannon of HANK-FM; WTHR-TV’s Nicole Pence; Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer; Jim O’Brien of Fox 59 Morning News; the Indiana Pacers Pacemates, and 1070 The Fan show host and former NFL player Joe Staysniak.
Judges select and award the top trees in six different categories: most elegant, most creative, best representation of theme, plus the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries from Warren Township Schools. In addition, every TreeFest guest will receive a ballot to vote for the Caroline Feldman People’s Choice Award, an honor named in memory of the late Mrs. Feldman and her 20-plus years of dedication to TreeFest.
Two special events are associated with the 25th Holiday TreeFest, both set for Saturday, November 23:
• Breakfast with Santa & Friends, 10 a.m. at the WPAC. A morning of food, fun, music, storytelling and more is hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Warren Central High School choirs will entertain, and the Student Council will provide new stuffed animals to each paid child. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday attire, and youngsters are invited to bring favorite stuffed animals to the event. Cost is $5 per person.
• TreeFest Buffet Reception & Benefit Auction, 6:30 p.m. at the Community Life Center, 10612 East Washington St. An elegant evening of good food and outstanding items offered via live and silent auctions. Tickets are $30 per person. Among the many and varied auction items and experiences available for bid are a Reggie Wayne-signed football and jersey, and an Evening with the Indiana Pacers package that includes four game tickets for the Mayor’s Suite at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse and a parking pass for the Delaware Street Garage.
For additional information about Warren Holiday TreeFest, Breakfast with Santa & Friends, or the TreeFest Buffet Reception & Benefit Auction, contact foundation executive director Mary McKinley at 317.869.4383.
The Warren Arts & Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that funds grants for a wide variety of educational activities in MSD Warren Township Schools. Warren Holiday TreeFest, the Foundation’s signature event and its major annual fund-raiser, has served as a traditional kick-off to the holiday season on the city’s far eastside for 25 years, and is enjoyed by holiday enthusiasts throughout the Indianapolis metro area.
