M.V. Festival of Trees to be held this weekend

By LAURA ROBISON

The Progress

The holiday hussle and bustle will come alive this weekend as the Old Logandale School Historical and Cultural Society (OLSHACS) hosts its 19th annual Moapa Valley Festival of Trees at the Old Logandale School. Activities, entertainment, food, shopping, and of course Santa Claus will be on hand to delight everyone who attends.

The festival begins on Thursday, Nov. 17 and will continue Friday, Nov. 18 from 3-7 pm and Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9am-5pm.

This popular event is a fundraiser for the operation of the Old Logandale School facility, and to keep it available for private and community events.

OLSHACS Executive Director Robin Maughan has been at the helm for about 15 years. “We are looking to have a home-town holiday kickoff,” Maughan said. “There are so many new residents in our community and we want them to feel like they are in their home-town for Christmas.”

Besides decorated trees, wreaths and other items for attendees to bid on, there will also be vendors in every corner of the building.

There are also many great prizes that will be raffled off. Raffle tickets are priced at $1 each or $5 for 6 tickets. New this year is a children’s raffle, at no cost. Each child who can relate his/her favorite thing about Christmas will receive a free raffle ticket to redeem for a book.

The event will also include Story Time. “We loved hearing Leo Farnsworth read his book last year,” Maughan said. “So we decided to do something similar by incorporating a story time featuring different Christmas books.”

All youth performers and children who attend story time will receive an ornament to take home.
Usually there is one room set aside for a very special display and this year is no different. Be prepared to be wowed by a grand display of Christmas Nutcrackers for all to view.

The festival will be filled with entertainment. Performances from local groups and individuals will be held inside and outside all three days. This will include dancers, tumblers, cloggers, singers, story-telling, piano players and the MVHS Jazz band.

The jolly man himself, Santa, will be appearing on Friday at 5:30 pm and again Saturday at 10:30 am to visit with the kids.

Come hungry as well, because Rik Eide’s food truck will be there to serve up some hot delicious eats.
“This event is a great way to get in to the Christmas Spirit, do something for a good cause, and start your holiday shopping!” Maughan said.