KAWARTHA LAKES-T’was the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that the decorating elves would soon be there.
In fact, 15 volunteers begin preparing decorations for the Festival of Trees in September. Many of the items are purchased a year in advance.
“Its just a really enjoyable , relaxing place to be here at Settlers Village.” says 14 year volunteer Linda Britton ” We are just a wonderful group and we all work together. I love decorating. I just really enjoy it.”
The group has decorated hundreds of items for this years Festival of Trees.
“We have a tree that is decorated with roses and it’s absolutely gorgeous. If somebody was having a Christmas wedding it would be perfect. Bows are in this year and we have a tree with great big, beautiful bows. We have so many different trees, there’s something for everyone.” said Britton
There is a very special tree this year in honour of Bobcaygeon’s 150th anniversary.
“I have incorporated the Mossom Boyd lumber empire into the tree. I’ve made little log piles and I put twine around them and hung them in the tree.” explains Britton.
Britton’s husband, Herb, is wood carver and is also a volunteer at the village.
“My husband has made bigger log piles for underneath the tree and he burned the end of the logs with the Boyd stamp that would have been on the ends of the logs before they went into the river to float to their destination. We have the stamp at the museum on site.”
Fishing has also been incorporated into the tree. Britton says as a child she remembers local fishing guides such as Norm Swartman and Percy Nichols. She says Larry Jones, a retired local Taxidermist gave her a hand carved fishing lure that belonged to Percy and an interesting fishing rod from 1943.
“Jones told me the rod itself would have been used as an antenna during the war and after the war they turned them into fishing rods.”
The Santa Pavilion is a must stop destination of kids of all ages. It’s a great spot to visit with Santa and take a photo with the jolly old guy!
The Festival of Trees itself is a wonderful, magical community event but it also serves a very important purpose for its host, Kawartha Settlers Village.
“It’s extremely important, it is their largest fundraiser for the village. It basically keeps the lights on” says Mary-Jane Brennan, Lead Decorator. “It has tripled what they make since I started 13 years ago.”
Brennan has been volunteer with the village for 14 years and says her favourite day is pick-up day!
“It’s always fun on pick-up day. You get the little kids that come in and have won a tree and that’s heartwarming. That’s the fun of it. My family comes very year and my grandkids wouldn’t miss it.” says Brennan.
The 29th annual Festival of Trees runs from November 13-15 at Kawartha Settlers Village in Bobcaygeon. In addition to the trees and decorated items you can browse the village, do some holiday shopping, take part in family friendly activities and more, all set against the charming backdrop of the village. The village is an outdoor heritage museum with more than 20 relocated historic buildings including log homes, a church, a school house, blacksmith shop and an firehall.
Click here for more information on the Festival:Â https://www.settlersvillage.org/
