By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
The grand hall at the Old Logandale School was decked with sparkling excitement and holiday cheer last weekend for the annual Moapa Valley Festival of Trees.
The event was held a bit earlier in the season than it has in the past. Traditionally the local festival has been held the weekend after Thanksgiving. But festival coordinator Robin Maughan explained that she made the decision to move it up to the weekend before Thanksgiving.
“It would have come so late this year,” Maughan said. “We were worried that people would be too busy. I’m glad that we moved it up because it worked out well.”
Despite the fact that the weather was rainy both Friday and Saturday, the turnout at the festival seemed busier than in some of the past, more fair-weather, years. A steady flow of spectators came through to look at the various decorated trees and to bid on them.
Of course, the Christmas trees were the focal point. And there were more of them than in recent years. More than 30 beautifully decorated trees lit up the hall. They were donated by local businesses and individuals joining in with the holiday spirit and helping the Old Logandale School Historical and Cultural Society (OLSHACS) in its annual fundraiser.
This year, the public was able to vote on their favorite trees in a number of different categories. Nine awards were given.
The grand champion tree was on entitled Christmas Village which was donated by Em and M&M Perkins. The large lit tree was decorated with a whole miniature Christmas Village set; each piece featured on different branch of the tree.
A tree which was decorated with painted wooden farm animals won the Wackiest Tree award at the festival. It was donated by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Logandale office.
The tree awarded for the Most Creative Decorations was donated by the Lost City Museum. It was trimmed with Native American handicrafts in miniature including basketry, weaving, beadwork and pottery.
The Tree awarded for the Most Christmas Spirit was a large tree strewn with ornaments in a musical motif. It was donated by Hugh and Jana Ward and was titled “A Christmas Song”.
The Most Inspiring award was won by Maggie Genseal’s “Starry Night”.
An elegant tree arrangement donated by The Front Porch flower shoppe was given the Decorated Like A Pro award.
The Best Traditional Christmas award went to the Moapa Valley Art Guild tree entitled “Old Fashioned Christmas”.
The award for “Most Family Fun” went to a tree decorated with teddy bears. The card read merely that it was donated by “Thelma and Louise”.
Finally, the “Most Animated” award was given to a colorful and unusual tree entitled Purple Wonder.
In addition to the trees, there were a number of vendors selling their wares. Attendees could get some of their holiday shopping done early and without the lines by visiting these booths which included tupperware, locally crafted wooden toys, handmade soaps and lotions, homemade hair bows for children, fudge and candies and more.
Lin’s Market opened a holiday food tasting booth on Saturday for folks to sample many of the treats being sold at the Overton store.
And, of course, the air was filled with music and entertainment all provided by local talent. On Friday evening vocalist Rachel Garcia, the girls of the Elite Dance Studio, and the Li’l Pirates Cheer Team drew in the crowds to the festival. Then on Saturday the entertainment continued with violist Marya Romero, the Mack Lyon Middle School Dance Team and music students from the Desert Song Studio. Rose Whitmore of Overton finished up the evening beautifully with holiday favorites played beautifully on the piano.
When it was all finished, the auction winners got to take home their beautifully decorated trees to display proudly through the Christmas season.
