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The second annual Festival of Trees will take place on Friday, December 2 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Dover City Hall Auditorium. The focus of the event will be 25 elaborately decorated Christmas Trees on display that will all be up for auction.  The event will also offer raffle prizes, local choral performances and a special visit from Santa Claus. (Continued below)

Each Christmas tree on display at the Festival will be sponsored by a local business or organization.  Every sponsor decorates their tree prior to the event.  Festival-goers will then have the opportunity to bid on any tree they want to take home through a silent auction format.  At the end of the night, Don Briand, News Director of 97.5 WOKQ, will close down all of the auctions by asking for any final bids.  Calling All Cargo will be on hand to deliver purchased trees to Dover residents for a fee.

“The creativity shown by the tree sponsors is really what makes this event special,” comments Festival of Trees organizer Paula Forbes.  “You will see every type of tree decoration here, from simple to extravagant.”

The Festival of Trees will have live holiday carol performances by the Dover High/Middle School Chorus and the Parish of Assumption Music Ministry.  Raffle items at the event will include Portland Sea Dogs tickets, tickets to Storyland, a guitar package from Ear Craft Music, local gift certificates and more.  Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Proceeds from the Festival of Trees go towards the City Lights Committee who annually illuminate the downtown trees during the holiday season.  This year, the City Lights will be turned on prior to the start of the Dover Holiday Parade on Sunday, November 27.

"Having the trees illuminated at night gives the downtown a truly special and magical feel during the holiday season," commented City Lights organizer Pam Simpson.

The City Lights Committee will again be selling their annual holiday ornament.  This year, the ornament features a scene of the Dover Public Library.  Ornaments are $8 and are available at the Chamber of Commerce, Dover Library, Nicole’s Hallmark, Harvey’s Bakery and at the Festival of Trees.

Those local businesses participating in the Festival of Trees include: Nicole’s Hallmark, The Noggin Factory, Artisan Electrical Contractors, Federal Savings Bank, Sweet Meadows, Dover Public Library, Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, K-9 Kaos, The Salon @ 903 Central, Ross Furniture, The Maids, Dover Main Street, RE/MAX Legacy, Tuxedos with Style, Century 21 Central Falls, Wade Landscaping, Third Street Style, Loyal Order of Moose, Hogan Flooring, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA, Wyskiel, Boc, Tillinghast & Buldoc, PA.

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit association of businesses, professionals, individuals, and organizations working together to advance the economic well-being of its members and the community. For information on other programs, please call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 603-742-2218 or visit www.dovernh.org.