The 2nd annual Sea Festival of Trees lights up the Massachusetts seacoast in 2014 with 15 days of Christmas beginning Friday, November 21st. Held at the spacious Blue Ocean Music Hall and new Blue Ocean Event Center located directly on the ocean at Salisbury Beach, the annual holiday fundraiser is expanding to two floors.
Presented by Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, Sea Festival of Trees is designed to raise funds for designated local charities, and establish a fun holiday tradition for seacoast families and the general public. In 2013, a two-day event yielded $24,000 in donations to Anna Jaques Hospital and the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
With a goal of 125 trees in 2014, to date more than 85 themed trees have been donated to the event by businesses, civic organizations, elected officials, student groups, work colleagues, and individuals. Participants are invited to showcase their decorating talents for the benefit of the two non-profit organizations and donate a 2 foot-to 10 foot-tall artificial tree decorated with a theme of their choosing. There is no fee to enter a tree; the tree and its adornments are considered the donation. The deadline for tree entry is November 10, 2014.
THE DETAILS
The Sea Festival of Trees will be open to the public on Saturday, November 22 through Saturday, December 6th. Admission to the holiday wonderland is $5. Tickets will be sold at the Blue Ocean Music Hall box office on a first-come, first-served basis daily during Sea Festival of Trees hours. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets and enter to win the themed trees of their choosing. The following is included in daily admission:
Viewing of Approximately 120 Sparkling Trees & Designer Wreaths
Visitors will walk through a maze of beautifully decorated 2 foot- to 10 foot-high artificial trees on two levels that create a breathtaking array of color and lights to form the centerpiece of the Sea Festival of Trees.
Giant Gingerbread House Display
New England’s largest whimsical confectionery creation will be on display in Blue Ocean Event Center lobby. This year’s giant gingerbread house features icons of Salisbury’s past and present, and a glimpse into the future when a boardwalk and fishing pier become part of the beach landscape. The 8-foot-tall sugary structure is constructed of edible gingerbread, candy, frosting and other colorful holiday sweets.
Seaside Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Rink
Blue Ocean Event Center’s indoor synthetic skating rink, Seaside Ice, will feature ice skating performances, meet and greets with former pro-hockey players, and public skating hours. No hats, gloves and jackets required. Skate to holiday music with breathtaking views of the ocean on 1,000 square feet of artificial ice. Public is invited to bring their skates to enjoy a fun day or night out by the sea. Skate rentals are not available. Ages 4 and up: $5. Children 3 and under are free.
Electric Train Display
Adults and children will be awed watching electric trains chug around scenic tracks in a mesmerizing pattern. North East Trains of Peabody, an experienced 20-year authorized retailer of thousands of model kits and electric trains made by Lionel, Mike’s Train House and more, will provide a magical electric train display for viewing inside the Sea Festival of Trees.
Holiday Stage Entertainment
Regional musicians, dance troupes, choirs and artists will perform on stage in Blue Ocean Music Hall at various times throughout the Festival for the enjoyment of festival attendees.
North Pole Cafe
The new Blue Sky concession area on the upper level will offer fresh sandwich wraps, home-made pizza, fruit cups, cookies, chips and a full bar. Seating is available in the adjacent Atlantic Ballroom where visitors can dine at café tables and chairs while enjoying panoramic views of the Atlantic to the Merrimack River and Cape Ann.
North Pole Gift & Candy Shoppe
The Festival’s North Pole Shoppe will be filled with delectable holiday candies, festive ornaments and holiday gifts for purchase.
For more information, visit seafestivaloftrees.com.