ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Dec. 3) – The fifth annual St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village will bring holiday cheer to the community and brighten the holiday season for needy families in the area. Beginning with the grand opening Friday, December 4h at 6 p.m., the festival will showcase over 65 decorated trees and wreaths displayed throughout the St. Johns County Convention Center. The Festival of Trees will be open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sunday, December 13. Admission is free.

The Festival of Trees’ grand opening from 6-8 p.m. on December 4 will feature complimentary activities for everyone including visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids’ cookie decorating, carols sung by local choirs and more. In addition, characters from the The Florida Ballet’s The Nutcracker will visit throughout the night and The Florida Ballet also will be selling discounted tickets to its performances of The Nutcracker to be held December 18-20 at The Florida Theater.

The Festival of Trees displays beautiful trees and wreaths decorated by companies, organizations, schools, churches, families and friends. Festival visitors may donate through individual votes on their favorite trees and wreaths with minimum $1 bids or can purchase a displayed tree or wreath through a silent auction. Proceeds from the Festival will benefit two local charities – the United Way of St. Johns County and The St. Augustine Record’s Empty Stocking Fund.
The 2009 St. Johns County Festival of Trees is presented by the World Golf Village Associates: Grande Villas at World Golf Village, Honours Golf, the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village and the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The St. Johns County Convention Center is located at World Golf Village, International Golf Parkway, I-95 exit 323. For more information on the St. Johns County Festival of Trees, visit the December events calendar at www.wgv.com.
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