Hotline Festival of Trees
December 1-3, 2011

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is a community fundraiser held every year by Hotline, the local resource addressing domestic and sexual violence on the Outer Banks. All donations and proceeds from the Bazaar and the Live and Silent Auctions go to support programming, services, shelter, training, information and resources for this worthy cause. Their motto for the event is “Peace on Earth Begins at Home”.

Bazaar and Silent Auction
108 Budleigh Street in historic downtown Manteo
December 1 & 2
Noon to 9pm

The Silent Auction will be open for bids through the Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday night. In addition to fully-decorated Christmas Trees, there are a multitude of gift baskets, gift certificates, vacation packages, and goods of all kinds donated by local businesses. In addition, there will be tickets sold throughout for the special raffled tree.

From noon to 4 both days, local groups will perform traditional and contemporary holiday songs. Look for choruses from our local schools and churches. Cookies and punch will be served.

Meanwhile, start your Christmas shopping at the Bazaar, featuring some of the best deals on the Outer Banks! Bargains abound for the smart shopper, but this also features the best of the best of donations to Hotline’s Thrift Shops. Look through fun holiday attire, funky vintage coats and unique clothing to please the discriminating eye. Most items are gently used, but there are also new toys and gifts that are fun for the whole family. Endless Possibilities will have handmade woven items for sale, including small rugs and table runners, scarves, Christmas stockings, handbags, and even clogs.

Finally, Santa’s Snow Princess will read stories and pose for pictures both Thursday and Friday nights. Admission to all of the above events are free, and donations will be gladly accepted at the door.

Trees and Santa
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head
Saturday, December 3
Noon to 3pm

The live-auction Christmas Trees will be on display to the public in the spacious event room upstairs at the new Jennette’s Pier at milepost 16.5. These dozen or more trees were decorated the previous evening, each with its own theme and usually including many accompanying gifts. Additionally, all of the Silent Auction items will be brought over from Manteo for display.

Santa will be available for photos, including a free keepsake print from one of our sponsors. Cookies and punch will be served. Free and open to the public.

Holiday Social
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head
Saturday, December 3
6:30pm

Ticketed event includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and champagne. There will be live entertainment and raffle tickets sold, as well as an exclusive silent auction with approximately 6 items including original paintings, stained glass and jewelry. The live Benefit Auction starts at 8pm with Master of Ceremonies Bill Rea serving as auctioneer. Trees will be delivered to the winners the following morning.

Locations:

108 Budleigh is a spacious venue in historic downtown Manteo, often used for wedding receptions and special events. There is plenty of parking downtown, and the location is convenient to the combined First Friday and Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday evening.

Jennette’s Pier is a brand new state of the art concrete pier operated by the North Carolina Aquarium Society. It was built at the location of a historical wood pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Isabelle in 2003, and now features an incredible event room on the second floor offering panoramic ocean views, dramatic high ceilings and a cozy fireplace.

Schedule is subject to change. Donations for area food pantries and shelters, including canned goods, household supplies and pet food, will also be gladly accepted at the door. For more information, please visit http://www.obhotline.org.