By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
The Moapa Valley community received a kick-off to the holiday season with the annual Festival of Trees held at the Old Logandale School Nov. 18-20.
The event, which is the major annual fundraiser for the Old Logandale School Historical and Culturral Society (OLSHACS) saw a huge success this year. The attendance was high and the silent auction sauw unusually high bidding for beautifully decorated trees and other decor items which had been donated for the festival by local businesses, organizations, families and individuals.
“Bids received were higher than we have seen in a long time,” said OLSHACS Director Robin Maughan who is the coordinator of Festival of Trees. “We really felt the community’s support.”
Multiple vendors were present and displaying their wares for sale. They reported great success in sales.
From holiday-themed gifts and decorations to holiday baked goods, attendees found just about anything they needed for the upcoming Christmas season and the opportunity to get a kick-start to their holiday shopping.
More than 30 trees were donated and auctioned off in a variety of color schemes and themes. One of the favorites was a tree decorated in “Caution” Tape with Firefighter decorations and a flashing Red Beacon light on top.
“We had our good faithful, and few new businesses and new families, that brought in a tree or auction item,” summarized Maughan. “Even our County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick donated a tree.”
Besides the trees there was a whole weekend of local entertainment provided at the festival including Fusion Dance, Lyon Middle School Cheer, Marinettes, MV Tumblers, Bowler Elementary Choir, Drue & Jane Solomon Family, Muddy River Cloggers, Kountry Kickers, Studio B Dance Academy, and Leavitt Dance under direction of Amber Leavitt.
One of the most entertaining performances was from the Bowler Elementary School Choir. The students were enthusiastic and animated in their singing performances making the crowd smile and enjoy the music being belted out by the children.
Local resident Leo Farnsworth, an accomplished author of children’s books, read his new book Once Upon a Snowy Christmas during the festival. On Friday evening and then again on Saturday morning, parents and children could cozy up and hear the joyous tale.
Besides reading his book for the kids, Farnsworth also autographed ornaments for attendees and donated two autographed copies of his book for the raffle.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be the Festival of Trees without visits from Santa homself. This was a delight to the children in attendance.
“It was a really magical experience this year,” stated Maughan.
Maughan expressed gratitude to the community for their continued support of OLSHACS. She also wanted to express thanks to the following for their donations or volunteered help: The MVHS Honor Society, The Women from the Young Singles Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carolyn Marshall, Jackie Worthen, Megan Canfield, Vonselle Telles, Tammy Barrett, Tom Maughan (took a week off from work to help), and her “right-hand woman” Rhonda Pulsipher.
“It was a huge success and a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Maughan.
