For the second consecutive year, Southwest Floridians can begin their holiday celebrations at the beautiful “Festival of Trees” in the Fort Myers River District. This magical and cheerful event is sure to inspire both the young and the young at heart, says Kirsten O’Dennell, a spokeswoman promoting the group.  

The Festival of Trees is Southwest Florida’s premier holiday showcase, and the Tux and Trees Gala (www.tuxandtrees.com) is the signature fundraising event of Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida Inc. 

Last year’s inaugural event raised over $55,000 to support Goodwill’s mission of helping people with disabilities and other disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence.  

The week-long holiday celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, Nov. 28) with a six-day showcase of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and lavish holiday wreaths at the recently renovated Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Downtown Fort Myers.  The free, family-friendly showcase is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2, and 3.

Each fanciful tree is decorated by a different sponsor – many of whom create “theme” trees.  Trees compete for awards like the “Mayor’s Favorite,” “Most Creative,” and “People’s Choice.”

At last year’s celebration, toys, teddy bears, and gingerbread men adorned some trees.  Others were decorated more traditionally, with ornaments, snowflakes, ribbons, and bows.  Still more were ornamented with more unconventional fare, like origami cranes, seashells, and even sports memorabilia.  Last year, even college football fans were engaged by the showcase, which featured a tree-decorating competition between fans of the Florida Gators and the FSU Seminoles, O’Donnell said.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend his year’s festival, which will feature more than 30 gorgeous trees and other beautiful decorations, along with a “sweet shop” to satisfy visitors’ holiday sweet tooth urges.

Saturday night (Nov. 29), the Festival of Trees will be the last stop on the Fort Myers ‘Holiday Stroll,” a celebration in the Fort Myers River District.  Mayor Jim Humphrey will light the town on a stroll down First Street, winding up at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, site of the Festival of Trees.

The 2008 Festival of Trees will culminate with the elegant “Tux and Trees” black-tie gala on Friday, Dec. 5. Trees will be auctioned off at the gala to raise money for Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. 

This year’s black-tie celebration will be hosted by celebrity hostess Sarah Augusthy, the charismatic co-anchor of “WINK News This Morning.”  Auction duties will be handled by Scott Robertson, one of Florida’s top fundraising auctioneers. 

The elegant evening will also feature a silent auction with lavishly decorated wreaths and other extravagant items.  Guests can bid on airline tickets, Norman Love Chocolates, beauty treatments at La-Te-Da Salon & Spa, tickets to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater and to the “ICE” Christmas Celebration at the Gaylord Palms, along with many other items.

The gala also includes entertainment, along with complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres, and valet parking service.  Tickets to the Tux and Trees Gala are $100 per person, and are available online at www.tuxandtrees.com.  Tickets may also be purchased by calling (866) 995-2106 ext. 249.

The week-long Festival winds down on Saturday, December 6 with a special “Breakfast with Santa,” sponsored and hosted by the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.  Children can visit Santa, feast on holiday treats, and listen to Christmas carols from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.